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French & literature · 02 / 08

Sentences, clauses and grammatical roles

Middle school · Worked example and 4 exercises with solutions, at your pace.

UnderstandSee an exampleGuided exercise3 progressive challenges

The principle, simply

A word class describes what a word is; a function describes its role in a sentence. Subject, object and predicate complement are functions. Clauses generally centre on finite verbs. Separate juxtaposition, coordination and subordination to explain relationships, punctuation and agreement.

THE PICTURE TO REMEMBERSentences, clauses and grammatical roles
  1. 01Verbs
  2. 02Clauses
  3. 03Relationships
  4. 04Roles and agreement

WORKED EXAMPLE

From principle to reasoning

In French “Les élèves qui révisent progressent”, élèves is a noun and the entire initial noun phrase is subject of progressent. The relative clause modifies élèves; qui is its subject.

Solve a problem in this subject

  1. Read task and text

    Identify genre, speaker and movement. Separate textual evidence from contextual knowledge about an assigned work.

  2. Select and interpret

    Choose a short accurate quotation. Name a technique only when you can explain its effect on meaning or tension in that passage.

  3. Build a response

    Connect each idea, textual evidence and interpretation to the question. The plan should develop a reading, not just catalogue techniques.

  4. Review and rehearse

    Check transitions, grammar and references. Practise explaining without memorising every word, then justify an interpretation under questioning.

YOUR TURN

01 · Try before checking

What does parce que express in “Elle lit parce qu’elle prépare l’oral”?

One hint

It answers why she reads.

Reveal and understand the solution

It introduces a subordinate clause expressing cause. Explain the relationship, not just the connector.

Compare method, conditions and answer; identify the exact part to revisit.

IMPROVE THROUGH PRACTICE

Three additional challenges with solutions

Start with the first challenge. Write your method before opening a hint; use the solution to find the first step that needs work.

Reflect after practising
02 · Recognise and understandLink to this exercise

Identify subject and verb in French “Le chat dort”.

A hint to get started

Ask who performs the grammatical action.

Step-by-step solution
  1. The noun phrase “Le chat” is subject.
  2. “dort” is the finite verb.
  3. This is a simple sentence with one clause.

Which step did you miss? Retry without help, then explain why the method works.

03 · Apply the methodLink to this exercise

Which clause depends on “pense” in “Je pense que tu as raison”?

A hint to get started

Find the subordinating word.

Step-by-step solution
  1. “que tu as raison” is a subordinate content clause.
  2. It complements “pense”.
  3. Distinguish the clause’s type from its function.

Which step did you miss? Retry without help, then explain why the method works.

04 · Go furtherLink to this exercise

Correct “Les élèves prépare leur examen” and explain agreement.

A hint to get started

The subject is plural.

Step-by-step solution
  1. “Les élèves préparent leur examen.”
  2. The verb uses third-person plural.
  3. Agreement follows the subject, not the later noun examen.

Which step did you miss? Retry without help, then explain why the method works.

The trap to avoid

Word class and sentence role differ.

Without notes, can you…

  • Explain the principle in your own words?
  • Rebuild the diagram and its connections?
  • Solve the exercise and justify the method?

Choosing a state saves it in this browser. This is your assessment, not a grade.

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