Language/French/Grammar/Intransitive-constructions
Intransitive constructions are verb constructions that do not require a direct object. In this lesson, we will explore intransitive constructions in French.
Basic Intransitive Verbs[edit | edit source]
There are many intransitive verbs in French that do not require a direct object. Some common examples include:
- Aller (to go)
- Arriver (to arrive)
- Dormir (to sleep)
- Rester (to stay)
- Sortir (to go out)
For example:
- Je vais au cinéma ce soir. (I am going to the cinema tonight.)
- Le train arrive à midi. (The train arrives at noon.)
- Je dors huit heures par nuit. (I sleep eight hours per night.)
- Je reste à la maison aujourd'hui. (I am staying home today.)
- Nous sortons souvent le soir. (We often go out at night.)
Reflexive Verbs[edit | edit source]
Reflexive verbs in French are verbs that require a reflexive pronoun, indicating that the action is being performed on oneself. Some common reflexive verbs that can be used in intransitive constructions include:
- Se lever (to get up)
- Se coucher (to go to bed)
- Se promener (to take a walk)
- Se reposer (to rest)
For example:
- Je me lève tôt tous les jours. (I get up early every day.)
- Elle se couche tard le weekend. (She goes to bed late on weekends.)
- Nous nous promenons dans le parc. (We take a walk in the park.)
- Ils se reposent après le travail. (They rest after work.)
Impersonal Verbs[edit | edit source]
Impersonal verbs are verbs that are used in the third person singular, regardless of the subject. Some common impersonal verbs that can be used in intransitive constructions include:
- Falloir (to be necessary)
- Pleuvoir (to rain)
- Neiger (to snow)
- Faire beau (to be nice weather)
- Faire mauvais (to be bad weather)
For example:
- Il faut étudier pour réussir l'examen. (It is necessary to study to pass the exam.)
- Il pleut depuis ce matin. (It has been raining since this morning.)
- Il neige souvent en hiver. (It often snows in winter.)
- Il fait beau aujourd'hui. (It is nice weather today.)
- Il fait mauvais temps demain. (It will be bad weather tomorrow.)
Conclusion[edit | edit source]
Understanding intransitive constructions in French is an important part of mastering the language. By knowing the basic intransitive verbs, reflexive verbs, and impersonal verbs, you can improve your French language skills and communicate more effectively with native speakers.
Other Lessons[edit | edit source]
- Subject verb agreement when subject quantifiers are present
- Gender
- y and en as an integral part of the verb structure
- Masculine and feminine forms of adjectives — No change in written or spoken French
- Compound Tenses
- Quand utiliser QUAND et QUANT
- Conditional Mood
- “en” when numbers are direct objects
- Direct object and indirect object pronouns differences between English and French
- Sentence modifying adverbs