French Grammar Basics: What Every Learner Should Know

French grammar is the foundation for communicating clearly and confidently. This guide covers the most important concepts for beginners, with practical examples and tips to help you master the basics and avoid common mistakes.

1. Nouns & Gender

Every French noun is either masculine or feminine. The article (le/la) and adjective endings change based on gender. There are few rules, so memorization and exposure are key.

• Masculine: le livre (the book), le garçon (the boy)
• Feminine: la table (the table), la fille (the girl)

Tip: Most nouns ending in -e are feminine, but there are exceptions. Always learn the article with the noun.

2. Articles

• Definite: le (masc.), la (fem.), les (plural) — the
• Indefinite: un (masc.), une (fem.), des (plural) — a/an/some
• Partitive: du (masc.), de la (fem.), de l' (before vowel), des (plural) — some/any

Example: Je veux du pain. (I want some bread.)

3. Regular Verb Endings

French verbs are grouped by their infinitive endings: -er, -ir, -re. Each group follows a regular pattern in the present tense.

• -er: parler (to speak) — je parle, tu parles, il/elle parle
• -ir: finir (to finish) — je finis, tu finis, il/elle finit
• -re: vendre (to sell) — je vends, tu vends, il/elle vend

Tip: The most common verbs are irregular (être, avoir, aller, faire). Learn their forms early.

4. Sentence Structure

French uses Subject-Verb-Object order, similar to English. Adjectives usually follow the noun, except for some common ones (beau, grand, petit, etc.).

• Le chat noir (the black cat) — adjective after noun
• Une grande maison (a big house) — adjective before noun

5. Negation

To make a sentence negative, wrap the verb with ne ... pas.

• Je ne comprends pas. (I do not understand.)
• Il n'aime pas le fromage. (He doesn't like cheese.)

6. Asking Questions

There are several ways to ask questions in French:

• Est-ce que tu parles anglais ? (Do you speak English?)
• Parles-tu anglais ? (Do you speak English?)
• Tu parles anglais ? (You speak English?)

7. Pronunciation & Common Mistakes

French pronunciation can be tricky. Practice nasal sounds, silent letters, and liaisons. Listen to native speakers and repeat aloud.

Common mistakes: Forgetting gender, misusing articles, and incorrect verb endings. Review and practice regularly.

Practice: Build sentences with new vocabulary, read aloud, and use online resources for grammar exercises. The more you use French, the faster you'll improve.