GrammarSentence StructureComplex SentencesComplex Sentences – Free Exercise Complex Sentences – Free Exercise show special characters display incorrect answers Exercises Look at the underlined sections of the sentences and decide which type of clause they are. J’aimerais t’aider mais je n’ai pas le temps.Two independent clauses connected by the conjunction mais. Each clause makes sense alone.I would like to help you, but I don’t have time.proposition indépendanteproposition principaleproposition subordonnée Sabrina aimerait partir à la montagne alors que sa sœur préfèrerait partir à la mer.Subordinate clause introduced by the conjunction alors que. The clause alors que sa sœur préfèrerait partir à la mer does not make sense without the preceding clause.Sabrina would like to go to the mountains whereas her sister would like to go to the coast.proposition indépendanteproposition principaleproposition subordonnée Pierre demande au professeur s’il peut lui expliquer le théorème de Pythagore.Main clause: it is followed by a subordinate clause introduced by si. This subordinate clause does not make sense without the main clause Pierre demande au professeur.Pierre asks the teacher if he can explain Pythagoras’ theorem to him.proposition indépendanteproposition principaleproposition subordonnée Nous avons raté le bus, nous devons attendre le prochain.Independent clause: this clause can stand alone and still make sense. Two independent clauses can be linked by a comma.We missed the bus, we have to wait for the next one.proposition indépendanteproposition principaleproposition subordonnée Bien qu’ils n’aiment pas prendre l’avion, Monsieur et Madame Tilleul ont acheté leurs billets pour aller visiter New York.Subordinate clause introduced by the conjunction bien que. The clause Bien qu’ils n’aiment pas prendre l’avion does not make sense when it stands alone; it is dependent on the second clause.Although they don’t like flying, Mr and Mrs Tilleul have bought their tickets to visit New York.proposition indépendanteproposition principaleproposition subordonnée Look at the underlined parts of the sentences and decide which type of clause they are. Nous devons rentrer avant que la nuit tombe.Adverbial clause of time introduced by the conjunction avant que. This clause answers the question when?.We have to go back before it gets dark.subordonné circonstancielle de lieu (adverbial clause of place)subordonné relative (relative clause)subordonnée circonstancielle de temps (adverbial clause of time) Marek écoute la pluie tomber sur le toit.Infinitive clause used after a verb of perception (écouter)Marek is listening to the rain falling on the roof.subordonnée participiale (participle clause)subordonnée complétive infinitive (infinitive clause)subordonnée circonstancielle de condition (conditional clause) J’ai adoré l’histoire que tu m’as racontée!Relative clause introduced by que. This clause gives us more information about a noun in the main clause (l’histoire) without having to begin a new sentence.I loved the story that you told me!subordonnée relative (relative clause)subordonnée circonstancielle de temps (adverbial clause of time)subordonnée complétive conjonctive (subordinate clause with que) Les policiers auraient attrapé le voleur s’ils étaient arrivés plus tôt.Conditional clause introduced by si. Conditional clauses present a condition that must be fulfilled in order for the action in the main clause to take place.The police would have caught the thief if they had arrived earlier.subordonnée completive interrogative (question)subordonnée circonstancielle de concession (concession clause)subordonnée circonstancielle de condition (conditional clause) Les vacances scolaires ayant commencé, il y a moins de monde à Paris.Participle clause with the present participle (ayant). These clauses have a different subject to the main clause and are separated from it by a comma.With the school holidays having started, there are fewer people in Paris.subordonnée participiale (participle clause)subordonnée complétive conjonctive (subordinate clause with que)subordonnée circonstancielle de cause (causal clause) Online exercises to improve your French Improve your French with Lingolia. Each grammar topic comes with one free exercise where you can review the basics, as well as many more Lingolia Plus exercises where you can practise according to your level. Check your understanding by hovering over the info bubbles for simple explanations and handy tips. Complex Sentences – Free Exercise Complex Sentences – mixed exercises Lingolia Plus French Unlock all grammar exercises for French with a Lingolia Plus account 709 interactive grammar exercises for French sorted by topic and level (A1–C1) with a built-in progress tracker and awards system Get started with Lingolia Plus Phrases complexes – Lingolia Plus Exercises Phrases complexes – quiz (1) B1 Phrases complexes – quiz (2) B1 Phrases complexes – quiz (3) B1 Relative Clauses – Free Exercise Relative Clauses – mixed exercises La proposition subordonnée relative – Lingolia Plus Exercises La proposition subordonnée relative – pronoms relatifs (1) A2 La proposition subordonnée relative – pronoms relatifs (2) A2 La proposition subordonnée relative – pronoms relatifs (3) B1 La proposition subordonnée relative – restrictive et non restrictive B1 La proposition subordonnée relative – structure de la phrase A2 La proposition subordonnée relative – mélange B1 La proposition subordonnée relative – indicatif ou subjonctif ? B2 Noun Clauses – Free Exercise Noun Clauses – mixed exercises Propositions complétives – Lingolia Plus Exercises Propositions complétives – indicatif ou subjonctif ? B1 Propositions complétives – à l’indicatif B1 Propositions complétives – au subjonctif B1 Propositions complétives – relative ou complétive ? B2 Propositions complétives – infinitives (1) B2 Propositions complétives – infinitives (2) B2 Indirect Questions – Free Exercise Indirect Questions – exercises L’interrogation indirecte – Lingolia Plus Exercises L’interrogation indirecte – structure B1 L’interrogation indirecte – ponctuation B1 L’interrogation indirecte – avec mot interrogatif B1 L’interrogation indirecte – avec "si" B1 L’interrogation indirecte – formation B1 L’interrogation indirecte – transformation interrogation directe/indirecte B2 Adverbial Clauses – Free Exercise Adverbial Clauses – mixed exercises Propositions circonstancielles – Lingolia Plus Exercises Propositions circonstancielles – conjonctions de subordination (1) B1 Propositions circonstancielles – conjonctions de subordination (2) B1 Propositions circonstancielles – structure (1) B1 Propositions circonstancielles – structure (2) B1 Propositions circonstancielles – indicatif ou subjonctif ? (1) B1 Propositions circonstancielles – indicatif ou subjonctif ? (2) B1 Propositions circonstancielles – autres tournures (1) B2 Propositions circonstancielles – autres tournures (2) B2 Conditional Sentences – Free Exercise Conditional Sentences – mixed exercises La proposition conditionnelle – Lingolia Plus Exercises La proposition conditionnelle – temps verbaux B1 La proposition conditionnelle – condition réelle (1) B1 La proposition conditionnelle – condition réelle (2) B1 La proposition conditionnelle – condition irréelle dans le présent (1) B2 La proposition conditionnelle – condition irréelle dans le présent (2) B2 La proposition conditionnelle – condition irréelle dans le passé (1) B2 La proposition conditionnelle – condition irréelle dans le passé (2) B2 Participle Clauses – Free Exercise Participle Clauses – exercises La proposition participiale – Lingolia Plus Exercises La proposition participiale – emploi (1) B2 La proposition participiale – emploi (2) B2 La proposition participiale – formation C1 La proposition participiale – le participe : formation B2 A1Beginner A2Elementary B1Intermediate B2Upper intermediate C1Advanced