Subordinate Clauses: Inversion and Conjunctions

Welcome to the topic of Subordinate Clauses in French! In this lesson, we will focus on using inversion and conjunctions to build complex sentences. Mastering this skill will allow you to construct articulate and nuanced sentences in French.

1. What are Subordinate Clauses?

A subordinate clause is a clause that cannot stand by itself as a complete sentence and relies on a main clause to make sense. In French, subordinate clauses are commonly introduced by conjunctions such as "que" (that), "si" (if), "quand" (when), or "parce que" (because).

2. Inversion in Subordinate Clauses

Inversion is a grammatical structure commonly used in French subordinate clauses. It involves inverting the subject and the verb in certain situations. Let's explore the different cases where inversion is used:

a. After Certain Conjunctions

When certain conjunctions such as "si" (if), "bien que" (although), or "quand" (when) introduce a subordinate clause, inversion is used:

Si tu veux, je viendrai. (If you want, I will come.)
Bien qu'elle soit fatiguée, elle continue à travailler. (Although she is tired, she keeps working.)
Quand viendra-t-il ? (When will he come?)

b. After "à moins que" and "sans que"

When the conjunctions "à moins que" (unless) and "sans que" (without) introduce a negative subordinate clause, inversion is used:

Je n'irai pas à moins que tu viennes. (I won't go unless you come.)
Elle est partie sans que je le sache. (She left without me knowing.)

c. After Negative Expressions

When negative expressions such as "ne...jamais" (never) or "ne...personne" (nobody) are used before a verb in a subordinate clause, inversion is used:

Je ne crois jamais ce qu'il dit. (I never believe what he says.)
Il n'y a personne qui puisse le faire. (There is nobody who can do it.)

3. Conjunctions in Subordinate Clauses

Conjunctions play a crucial role in connecting subordinate clauses to main clauses. Let's explore some commonly used conjunctions and their functions:

a. "Que" (That)

The conjunction "que" is used to introduce verb clauses in expressing thoughts, actions, feelings, or opinions. It can be used in a variety of contexts:

Je pense que tu as raison. (I think that you are right.)
Elle dit qu'elle viendra ce soir. (She says that she will come tonight.)
Nous sommes contents que tu sois là. (We are happy that you are here.)

b. "Si" (If)

The conjunction "si" is used to introduce conditional clauses or hypothetical situations:

Si tu viens, nous partirons ensemble. (If you come, we will leave together.)
Que ferais-tu si tu gagnais à la loterie ? (What would you do if you won the lottery?)

c. Other Common Conjunctions

Here are a few more common conjunctions used in subordinate clauses:

• "Quand" (When): Je sais quand tu reviens. (I know when you are coming back.)
• "Parce que" (Because): Il est rentré parce qu'il était fatigué. (He came back because he was tired.)
• "Pendant que" (While): Il étudie pendant que je fais la cuisine. (He studies while I cook.)

Remember to pay attention to the conjugation and placement of verbs in subordinate clauses to maintain correct subject-verb agreement.

Conclusion

Congratulations! You have learned how to construct complex sentences using subordinate clauses in French. By using inversion and conjunctions correctly, you can now express a variety of thoughts, conditions, and ideas in a more nuanced and articulate manner. Keep practicing and exploring different sentence structures to further enhance your French skills!