French for Beginners: Building Simple Statements with Subject, Verb, and Object
Learn how to build basic French declarative sentences in subject-verb-object order, using everyday verbs and nouns, and see how statements differ from questions.
By TheaFirst conversations · Yapr Learn
In French, a simple statement usually follows the same basic order as English: subject, then verb, then object. For example, 'J'aime le café' means 'I like coffee.' This lesson focuses only on declarative sentences, the kind you use to say facts, preferences, and simple actions. You will practice putting a subject pronoun, a present-tense verb, and a noun object together. You will also notice that French often uses a small word like 'le', 'la', 'les', or 'un' before the object, and that this word changes with the noun. Questions are different: they often change word order or add words like 'est-ce que'. Here we stay with statements.
By the end, you can…
- put a subject, a verb, and an object in the correct order in a simple French statement.
- use common subject pronouns and present-tense verbs to say what someone does or likes.
- recognize that French object nouns usually need a small article word before them.
Listen once. Try it slowly. Then say it without looking.
Checking available voices…
J'aime le café.
I like coffee.
zhem luh ka-FEH
A basic statement with the subject 'je', the verb 'aime', and the object 'le café'. Use it to talk about a drink you like.
Tu manges une pomme.
You eat an apple.
tew mahnzh ewn POM
Subject 'tu', verb 'manges', object 'une pomme'. The article 'une' goes with a feminine singular noun.
Il regarde la télé.
He watches TV.
eel ruh-GARD luh tay-LAY
Subject 'il', verb 'regarde', object 'la télé'. 'La' is used before a feminine singular noun.
Nous écoutons la musique.
We listen to music.
noo ay-koo-TON luh mew-ZEEK
Subject 'nous', verb 'écoutons', object 'la musique'. The verb ending '-ons' matches 'nous'.
Elles achètent des livres.
They buy books.
el za-SHET day LEE-vruh
Subject 'elles', verb 'achètent', object 'des livres'. 'Des' is an indefinite plural article.
Pronunciation guides are approximate. Slow playback keeps the original pitch.
Make it make sense
Useful pattern
The core pattern is: subject + verb + object. In French, the subject can be a pronoun like 'je', 'tu', 'il', 'elle', 'nous', 'vous', 'ils', or 'elles', or a noun like 'Marie'. The verb changes form to match the subject. The object often comes after the verb and usually needs an article: 'le' for masculine singular, 'la' for feminine singular, 'les' for plural, and 'un', 'une', or 'des' for indefinite nouns. Examples: 'Je mange une pomme.' 'Nous aimons le chocolat.' 'Paul regarde la télé.'
When to use it
Use this order when you are making a statement, not asking a question. Statements give information, express likes and dislikes, or describe actions. For example, 'Tu parles français' means 'You speak French.' To turn it into a question, French often uses a different pattern, such as 'Est-ce que tu parles français ?' or rising intonation: 'Tu parles français ?' In this lesson, keep the statement order and avoid question words. Also remember that French nouns have gender, so the article before the object must match the noun: 'le livre' but 'la table'.
Listen to each line, then take one part and reply out loud.
Bonjour, Marie. Tu aimes le thé ?
Hello, Marie. Do you like tea?bon-ZHOOR ma-REE. tew em luh tayOui, j'aime le thé. J'aime aussi le café.
Yes, I like tea. I also like coffee.wee, zhem luh tay. zhem oh-SEE luh ka-FEHPaul boit du café le matin.
Paul drinks coffee in the morning.pol bwa dew ka-FEH luh ma-TANEt nous, nous mangeons une pomme.
And we, we eat an apple.ay noo, noo mahn-ZHON ewn POMA little context goes a long way
In everyday French conversation, subject pronouns like 'je', 'tu', 'il', and 'elle' are almost always used with the verb, even when the subject is clear from context. This differs from English, where pronouns can sometimes be dropped. Also, the choice between 'tu' and 'vous' depends on formality and number: use 'tu' with one person you know well, and 'vous' with strangers, groups, or in polite situations. The sentence order stays the same, but the verb form changes.
One thing to watch for
Leaving out the article before the object, as in 'J'aime café' for 'I like coffee'.
Try this instead: In French, a noun object usually needs an article or another determiner. Say 'J'aime le café' for a general preference. If you mean a specific cup, you would normally say 'Je prends un café' or 'Je voudrais un café'; 'J'aime un café' sounds odd in French. The article is not optional in standard French.
Your turn
Try answering out loud before checking a possible answer.
1Put the words in order to make a statement: 'mange / je / une pomme'.
Show a sample answer
Je mange une pomme.
The subject 'je' comes first, then the verb 'mange', then the object 'une pomme'. This follows the basic subject-verb-object order.
2Choose the correct article: 'Elle regarde ___ télé.' (le / la / les)
Show a sample answer
la
'Télé' is feminine singular, so it takes 'la'. 'Le' is for masculine singular and 'les' is for plural.
3Translate into French: 'We listen to music.'
Show a sample answer
Nous écoutons la musique.
'Nous' is the subject, 'écoutons' is the verb, and 'la musique' is the object. The verb ending '-ons' matches 'nous'.
To make a simple French statement, start with the subject, add the verb, then add the object with its correct article. Keep this order for facts and preferences, and remember that questions use different patterns.
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