French Word Order - Ordre des mots

Dual-Verb Constructions

The order of words in a French sentence can be very confusing, due to dual-verb constructions, object and adverbial pronouns, and negative structures.

French has two kinds of two-verb constructions:

1. Compound verb tenses (explained here)
    
2. Dual-verb constructions (conjugated verb + infinitive)

Related lessons Verbs Compound verbs Infinitive Modal verbs Pouvoir, Devoir  Reflexive verbs Semi-auxiliary verbs Verb conjugations Verbs with prepositions

What I call dual-verb are constructions consisting of a conjugated semi-auxiliary verb, such as pouvoir, devoir (these two are called modal verbs in English), vouloir, aller, espérer, and promettre, followed by a second verb in the infinitive. The two verbs may or may not be joined by a preposition. 

Dual-verb constructions have a slightly different word order than compound verbs.

I. Object and reflexive pronouns are usually* and adverbial pronouns are always placed between the two verbs, after the preposition (if any) that follows the conjugated verb.

Je vais te le donner.	I'm going to give it to you.
Je dois me brosser les dents.	I need to brush my teeth.
Nous espérons y aller.	We hope to go there.
Je promets de le manger.	I promise to eat it.
Il continuera à t'en parler.	He'll continue to talk to you about it.

Related lessons Grammar Negation Prepositions Pronouns More word order

*Sometimes the object pronoun must precede the first verb. In order to determine this, think about which verb is being modified: remember that in French, the object pronoun has to go in front of the verb it modifies. The wrong place may give you a grammatically incorrect sentence or may even change the meaning of the sentence.

X	Il aide à nous travailler.	X	He's helping work us.
	Il nous aide à travailler.		He's helping us work.
X	Elle invite à me venir.	X	She's inviting to come me.
	Elle m'invite à venir.		She's inviting me to come.
X	Je promets de te manger.	X	I promise to eat you.
	Je te promets de manger.		I promise you that I'll eat.
	Je promets de le manger.		I promise that I'll eat it.
	Je te promets de le manger.		I promise you that I'll eat it.

II. Negative structures surround the conjugated verb and precede the preposition (if any).

Je ne vais pas étudier.	I'm not going to study.
Nous n'espérons jamais voyager.	We never hope to travel.
Je ne promets que de travailler.	I only promise to work.
Il ne continue pas à lire.	He's not continuing to read.

III. In a sentence with pronouns and a negative structure, the order is: 

ne + object pronoun (if applicable) + conjugated verb + part two of negative structure + preposition (if any) + object pronoun(s) + adverbial pronoun(s) + infinitive

Je ne vais jamais te le donner.	I'm never going to give it to you.
Nous n'espérons pas y aller.	We don't hope to go there.
Il ne continue pas à y travailler.	He isn't continuing to work there.
Je ne promets pas de le manger.	I don't promise to eat it.
Je ne te promets pas de le manger.	I don't promise you that I'll eat it.
Je ne te promets pas d'y aller.	I don't promise you that I'll go there.

  

Test on dual-verb word order Related lessons Modal verbs   Negation   Prepositions   Pronouns   Word order Grammar Glossary French Grammar Lessons     French Verbs

  

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