The complex phrases in French
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Sign up for freeThe complex phrases (French: les phrases complexes) have several conjugated verbs and at least 2. It is very similar to the composed phrases but with some particularities.
It consists of a main proposition and one or more other subordinate clauses.
Examples:
| proposition principale | proposition subordonée | Translation |
|---|---|---|
| Le chien de la voisine aboie | quand il voit des étrangers | (The neighbour's dog woofs when he sees strangers) |
| J'ai acheté le nouveau livre de J.K. Rowling | qui est l'auteure des Harry Potter | (I bought JK Rowling's new book who is the HP's writer) |
| Marie a mangé sa part | puisqu'elle ne voulait pas | (Marie ate her slice since she didn't want it) |
Lesson outline
HideWhat is a subordinate clause sentence in French ?
The subordinate clauses (French: les propositions subordonnées) depend on the main proposition and can not exist alone. They are always introduced by a link word.
They can be juxtaposed or coordinated with one another.
A complex sentence can use two types of subordinate clauses:
- The relative subordinate clause
- The conjunctive subordinate clause
| Proposition subordonnée | Proposition principale | Translations |
|---|---|---|
| Juxtaposée | Quand Pierre a vu sa soeur, il a tout de suite sauté sur elle | (When Peter saw his sister, he immediately jumped on her) |
| Coordination | Le directeur a cru qu'il allait démissionner et qu'il allait partir | (The director thought that he was going to resign and that he will leave) |
| Relatif | Achètes-moi la robe qui a les manches blanches ! | (Buy me the dress that has white sleeve) |
| Conjonctive | Ta mère pensait que tu avais quitté la France | (You mom thought that you left France) |
Learn more about the subordinate clauses in the followings topics in the French sentence structure.
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Exercises
- Multiple choice questions about the complex phrases in French
- Drag and drop exercise about the complex phrases in French
Multiple choice questions about the complex phrases in French
Drag and drop exercise about the complex phrases in French
Exercises
- Multiple choice questions about the complex phrases in French
- Drag and drop exercise about the complex phrases in French