Should a comma follow the noun

George H.C1Kwiziq community member

Should a comma follow the noun

Please can someone explain why, when there is an inverted question and the subject is a noun, there is not a comma after the subject, as I was taught when I learned French at school?

Asked 3 years ago
CécileKwiziq team member

Hi George, 

A comma ( une virgule) denotes a pause and works pretty much as in English. 

In all the examples in this lesson there are no commas which is correct as in the example given by Le Petit Grevisse - 

L'accusée dit-elle la vérité ? = Does the accused speak the truth?

but it could have been -

Marie va-t-elle au marché ? = Is Marie going to the market?

The only case which I know when you would have a comma in these types of sentences- statements, or inverted questions - would be after a stress pronoun -

Lui, s'appelle-t-il Henri ? = Is his name Henry?

Son frère va venir mais elle, ne viendra pas Her brother is going to come but she won't be coming

Eux, ils arriveront demain matin = They'll arrive tomorrow

 

Hope this helps!

 

 

Should a comma follow the noun

Please can someone explain why, when there is an inverted question and the subject is a noun, there is not a comma after the subject, as I was taught when I learned French at school?

Sign in to submit your answer

Don't have an account yet? Join today

Ask a question

Find your French level for FREE

Test your French to the CEFR standard

Find your French level
Getting that for you now...