une phrase complète
The English phrase "a full sentence" is une phrase complète in French.
For example, in French, sentences generally follow a subject-verb-object (SVO) structure, such as in Je mange une pomme.
Which one should you use?
While une phrase complète means "a full sentence", the simpler une phrase is the standard way to say "a sentence" in most contexts.
How does it change in a sentence?
The adjective complète must be in the feminine form to agree with the feminine noun phrase.
What mistakes should you avoid?
English speakers often mistakenly assume une phrase means "a phrase" (as in a fragment of text). However, in French, une phrase is the standard word for a complete grammatical sentence.
Did you know?
- The Greek verb phrázō actually meant 'to tell' or 'to express', which is the conceptual ancestor of the modern French phrase.
- French distinguishes between une phrase and une proposition. While both can be translated as 'clause' or 'sentence', a proposition is specifically a grammatical unit with one verb, whereas a phrase can contain many.
- In French, the word phrase refers to a grammatical sentence, but the word for a musical phrase is phrase musicale. This means the same word is used for both a linguistic unit and a melodic one.
Examples in context
- Je vais au cinéma avec mes amis ce soir.I am going to the movies with my friends tonight.
- Il est important d'étudier pour réussir les examens.It's important to study to succeed in exams.
- Ma sœur adore voyager et découvrir de nouvelles cultures.My sister loves to travel and explore new cultures.
- Nous sommes en retard, il faut se dépêcher.We are late, we need to hurry.
- Il faut écrire une phrase complète.You must write a full sentence.
- Je ne peux pas lire une phrase complète ici.I cannot read a full sentence here.
- Cette correction exige une phrase complète.This correction requires a full sentence.
Example conversation
A teacher is checking a student's homework.
- NathanNathan, ta réponse est trop courte.Nathan, your answer is too short.
- ManonQu'est-ce que je dois faire, Manon ?What should I do, Manon?
- NathanTu dois écrire une phrase complète.You must write a full sentence.
- ManonD'accord, je vais le corriger.Okay, I will correct it.
Sources
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries phrase, une, CC BY-SA 4.0.
