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A noun clause (une proposition subordonnée complétive) is a group of words that acts as a direct object of a verb in the main clause. Unlike relative clauses which refer to a noun, noun clauses refer to a verb.
Both are often introduced by que, but look at what they refer to:
Noun Clause:
J'espère que tu viendras. (Refers to verb 'espère')
Relative Clause:
Le gâteau que Fiona a fait est bon. (Refers to noun 'gâteau')
These follow verbs of declaration (dire), opinion (penser, croire), perception (voir), feeling or wish (vouloir, préférer), or impersonal verbs (il faut).
Used for statements of fact, certainty, or objective opinion. Verbs: affirmer, dire, penser*, croire*, espérer, promettre, savoir.
Used for wishes, feelings, doubt, possibility, or necessity. Verbs: douter, vouloir, aimer, préférer, regretter, il faut.
The tense in the dependent clause relates to the time of the main clause.
| Main Verb Tense | Timing of action | Clause Tense |
|---|---|---|
| Present (Il dit...) | Prior occurrence | Passé composé |
| Present (Il dit...) | Simultaneous | Présent |
| Present (Il dit...) | Future occurrence | Futur |
| Past (Il a dit...) | Prior | Plus-que-parfait |
| Past (Il a dit...) | Simultaneous | Imparfait |
| Past (Il a dit...) | Future in the past | Conditionnel |
An infinitive clause has its own subject (different from the main clause subject) and an infinitive verb. It follows verbs of perception (entendre, voir, écouter) or verbs like laisser, faire, envoyer.
Nous écoutons les vagues s'écraser contre les rochers.
Mon frère laisse traîner ses affaires.
If the clause and main verb share a subject, you use the infinitive instead of a que clause. This is obligatory with subjunctive verbs and optional with indicative verbs.
A noun clause following a reporting verb (demander, savoir) that introduces a question.
Je lui ai demandé où étaient rangées les assiettes.
Master the formation and mood selection of French noun clauses through targeted interactive drills.
Je mange une pomme.
I'm eating an apple. (COD — direct object)
Je parle à Marie.
I'm speaking to Marie. (COI — indirect object)
Je la mange.
I'm eating it. (COD pronoun)
Je lui parle.
I'm speaking to her. (COI pronoun)
Il est médecin.
He is a doctor. (attribut du sujet)
Je pense à mon avenir. J'y pense.
I think about my future. I think about it. (COI → y)
Je lui parle à Marie.
Je parle à Marie. / Je lui parle.
Don't use both the pronoun AND the full phrase. 'Je lui parle à Marie' is doubling — choose one. Lui already means 'to her' — adding 'à Marie' is redundant.
Je la parle. (about Marie)
Je lui parle.
La = COD (direct object). Lui = COI (indirect object for people). Parler à quelqu'un → COI → lui. Never use le/la for indirect objects. This distinction is fundamental and heavily tested.
Je le donne le livre.
Je donne le livre. / Je le donne.
Like above, don't double the object. Le/la/les replace the noun completely. 'Je le donne le livre' is like saying 'I give it the book.'
🏥 COD = Direct Patient, COI = Referred Patient
COD and COI are the two types of verb 'patients.' COD receives the action DIRECTLY — the verb acts on it with no preposition (Je mange QUOI? → une pomme). COI receives it INDIRECTLY — there's a preposition in between, usually à or de (Je parle À QUI? → à Marie). In English, you can often tell by asking 'whom?' vs 'to whom?' COD pronouns are le/la/les; COI pronouns are lui/leur. Know your patients!
COD/COI distinction is tested from A2 through B1 in TEF/TCF. At A2, basic identification and le/la/les vs lui/leur. At B1, y (for à + thing) and en (for de + thing), plus pronoun placement with imperatives. The B1/B2 distinction hinges on getting COD/COI pronoun order right with double pronouns and with y/en.
At a restaurant:
Je voudrais le menu, s'il vous plaît.
Je vous le donne tout de suite. Vous désirez boire quelque chose ?
Oui, je lui demanderai un verre d'eau. Et pour le plat, je le choisis dans un instant.
Très bien. Je vous l'apporte dès que vous êtes prêt.
Practice identifying and using French direct and indirect object complements with 20 interactive questions on PrepMyFrench. Pronoun replacement with instant scoring.
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