What are the main differences between spoken and written French syntax

The main differences between spoken and written French syntax lie in complexity, word order, and frequency of certain syntactic structures. Spoken French syntax tends to be simpler and more repetitive, often featuring pronouns as subjects rather than nouns. It allows more dislocations, repetitions, and variations in word order for emphasis or pragmatic effects. For instance, the postposition of subject pronouns (e.g., placing the subject after the verb) is more common in spoken French and serves conversational and expressive functions. Written French syntax is generally more formal, complex, and structured, with more nouns as subjects and stricter adherence to normative word order. It also tends to be slightly more difficult to process due to this complexity. Some adverbials differ in usage between spoken and written forms, with “à nouveau” (written) and “de nouveau” (spoken) showing distinctions in modality and meaning. Overall, spoken French adapts syntax for ease of communication and interaction, while written French maintains clarity, precision, and formality. ^{3, 7, 9}

References

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