Some Fench grammar topics can be very tricky to understand, especially with all the different French complements that can be used in sentences. In this article, we’ll explain and discuss two types of French grammatical complements, the Complément essentiel, and the Complément circonstanciel. For you to be able to use them correctly, you need to understand the differences between the both and keep in mind that they’re very different.
Two different types of complements
These complements are two different grammatical tools used to complete the use of a sentence. But you have to keep in mind that as much as the Complément essentiel is very important in a sentence and can’t be omitted.
But when you’re talking about using the Complément circonstanciel you have to know that it provides additional information about the verb but doesn’t need to be in a sentence if it’s not something crucial to give the right meaning to your sentence.
- Compléments essentiels, are typically introduced by the preposition “à” this is usually a word that comes after the verb and adds information about the subject or the object of the sentence.
Il parle à ses parents.
He talks to his parents.
In this sentence, the Complément Essentiel is “ses parents” which gives more information about who the subject is talking to.
Vous écoutez la musique.
They listen to music.
Right here, the extra information is that the subject is listening to music, which makes “la musique” the Complément Essentiel.
- Compléments circonstanciels, these complements are usually introduced by other prepositions like “de” or “en” and usually give extra information about the verb in the sentence. But contrary to the Essentiel, this can be omitted without changing the meaning of the sentence. It typically comes after the verb and provides information about the circumstances in which the action is taking place or the way it’s performed.
Je parle de mes vacances.
I’m talking about my holidays.
Right here, the extra information is that the subject is talking about their holidays, therefore, the Complément Circonstanciel is “de mes vacances“.
Il m’écoute en marchant.
He listens to me as he walks.
The extra information in this sentence is that the subject is walking as he’s listening. The Complément Circonstanciel is “en marchant“.
It’s very important to understand and use the right complement to get your point across swiftly and with ease. Because using the wrong complement can change the meaning of the sentence or just give it the wrong meaning altogether.
Now you can use these complements to get your point of view across with ease
As we come to the end of this lesson, we hope that you now feel more comfortable using these French Compléments to give a little bit of extra information about your sentences. Remember that it’s important to use the right complement in a sentence to avoid general confusion or changing the meaning of the sentence. Remember that practice makes perfect and with practice, you can start using these like a native speaker.
Learn more about Using the Complément du nom Déterminatif in French