Key French Grammar Rules to Know for AP French

Understanding key French grammar rules is essential for mastering the language, especially in AP French. These rules cover everything from subject-verb agreement to verb conjugations, tenses, and moods, helping you communicate effectively and accurately.

1. Subject-verb agreement

   • The subject and verb must agree in number (singular/plural).
   • In French, the verb form changes based on the subject pronoun.
   • Collective nouns can take either singular or plural verbs depending on context.

2. Verb conjugations (regular and irregular)

   • Regular verbs follow predictable patterns based on their endings (-er, -ir, -re).
   • Irregular verbs do not follow standard conjugation rules and must be memorized.
   • Conjugation varies by subject pronoun and tense.

3. Tenses (present, past, future, conditional)

   • Present tense indicates current actions or states.
   • Past tense (passé composé) is used for completed actions; imparfait describes ongoing past actions.
   • Future tense expresses actions that will happen; conditional indicates hypothetical situations.

4. Mood (indicative, subjunctive, imperative)

   • Indicative mood states facts or asks questions.
   • Subjunctive mood expresses doubt, desire, or emotion; often triggered by specific conjunctions.
   • Imperative mood gives commands or requests.

5. Gender and number agreement (nouns, adjectives)

   • Nouns are either masculine or feminine; adjectives must agree in gender and number with the nouns they modify.
   • Plural forms of nouns and adjectives typically add -s, but some have irregular plural forms.
   • Gender can often be determined by the noun's ending, but exceptions exist.

6. Articles (definite, indefinite, partitive)

   • Definite articles (le, la, les) refer to specific nouns.
   • Indefinite articles (un, une, des) refer to non-specific nouns.
   • Partitive articles (du, de la, des) indicate an unspecified quantity of something.

7. Pronouns (subject, object, relative, possessive)

   • Subject pronouns (je, tu, il/elle, etc.) replace the noun performing the action.
   • Object pronouns (me, te, le/la, etc.) replace the noun receiving the action.
   • Possessive pronouns (mon, ton, son, etc.) indicate ownership.

8. Negation

   • Negation in French typically uses "ne...pas" around the verb.
   • In spoken French, the "ne" is often dropped, especially in informal contexts.
   • Other negation forms exist for specific contexts (e.g., "ne...jamais" for "never").

9. Question formation

   • Questions can be formed by inversion (verb-subject), using "est-ce que," or by raising intonation.
   • Question words (qui, que, où, quand, comment, pourquoi) are used to ask specific questions.
   • Inversion requires subject-verb agreement.

10. Adjective placement

    • Most adjectives follow the noun they modify, but some common adjectives (e.g., beau, grand) precede the noun.
    • Adjective placement can change the meaning of the sentence.
    • Agreement in gender and number is required.

11. Adverb formation and placement

    • Adverbs are often formed by adding -ment to the feminine form of adjectives.
    • Adverbs typically follow the verb they modify, but can also appear at the beginning of a sentence for emphasis.
    • Placement can vary based on the type of verb (e.g., passé composé).

12. Prepositions

    • Prepositions (à, de, en, pour, avec, etc.) indicate relationships between nouns and other elements in a sentence.
    • Some verbs require specific prepositions to convey the correct meaning.
    • Prepositions can also indicate time, place, and direction.

13. Comparatives and superlatives

    • Comparatives are formed using "plus...que" (more...than) or "moins...que" (less...than).
    • Superlatives are formed using "le plus" (the most) or "le moins" (the least).
    • Irregular adjectives have unique comparative and superlative forms (e.g., bon -> meilleur).

14. Passive voice

    • The passive voice emphasizes the action rather than the subject performing it.
    • Formed using the verb "être" + past participle; the past participle must agree in gender and number with the subject.
    • Commonly used in formal writing and when the doer is unknown or irrelevant.

15. Reflexive verbs

    • Reflexive verbs indicate that the subject performs an action on itself and are formed with reflexive pronouns (me, te, se, etc.).
    • The reflexive pronoun must agree with the subject in person and number.
    • Common in daily routines and expressions of feelings.