The simple phrases in French
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Sign up for freeA simple sentence (French: la phrase simple) is formed from a independent proposition, organized around a single conjugated verb.
Cette femme est très jolie. (This woman is really beautiful)
- The conjugated verb is "est" and relvoves only around this verb
- Therefore, it is a simple sentence
A simple sentence can consist of a series of independent propositions that can be juxtaposed or coordinated.
| Proposition | Examples | Translations |
|---|---|---|
| Juxtaposée | à Orange, je faisais ce travail. | (at Orange, I was doing this job) |
| Coordination | Mais viens ici ! | (But come here !) |
Among the simple sentences, we find the verbal phrase and the nominal phrase.
Lesson outline
HideThe verbal phrases in French
The sentences that are organized around one or more conjugated verbs, are called verbal phrases (French: les phrases verbales).
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Federica W. 
Jean Vassili M. 
Deborah C.
Silvia B.
Mayamba K. 
Thibault C.
Hélène R.
Katharina S. 
Jacques B.
Michael N.
Examples
- Cendrillon portait des chaussures en verre. (Cinderella was wearing glass shoes)
- Ma meilleure amie est une canadienne. (My best friend is a canadian girl)
A sentence with a conjugated verb is not necessarily verbal. In addition, it must be built around it. The verb is then the most important word of the sentence and it is said that it is the core of the sentence.
Voici la fille dont je t'ai parlé. (Here is the girl I told you about)
- The conjugated verb is "ai parlé"
- But the phrase is revolving around "la fille" and not the verb
- It is not a verbal phrase
The nominal phrase in French
The nominal phrase (French: la phrase nominale) has any conjugated verb and is revolving around the subject.
It is used with the exclamative sentence and is very often spoken, in titles, newspapers, or in advertisements.
Examples
- Quel bel homme ! (What a beautiful man !)
- Une nouvelle maison pour le nouveau président. (A new home for the new president)
- Une meilleure alimentation. (A better nourishment)
A nonverbal sentence, with a noun, is not necessarily nominal. In addition, it must be built around a common noun. The latter is then the most important word in the sentence and is the core of the sentence.
Porter de gants est une obligation. (Mantadory to wear gloves)
- No conjugated verb in the sentence
- The core of the sentence is the common noun "porter"
- It isn't a nominal phrase