Abstract
This study examines the complements of attribution, often referred to as second object complements, in French grammar. These structures, which typically appear in sentences involving verbs of giving, assigning, or attributing, play a crucial role in conveying nuanced meaning and syntactic relationships. The research aims to address key questions about their syntactic, semantic, and pragmatic properties. What are the defining characteristics of complements of attribution in contemporary French? How do these structures vary across spoken and written contexts? What implications do their usage patterns have for teaching French grammar?Using a qualitative research methodology, this study analyzes data from a French linguistic corpus and reviews existing theoretical frameworks. Patterns of usage are compared across different registers of French to identify consistencies and variations. Findings reveal that complements of attribution are subject to notable syntactic flexibility, influenced by contextual factors such as verb choice and formality. The study underscores the importance of understanding these structures for linguists and educators, particularly in second-language instruction. The research contributes to a deeper understanding of French syntax and offers recommendations for linguistic curriculum development. These findings provide valuable insights for advancing both theoretical and applied linguistic studies, highlighting areas for further exploration in the evolution of French grammar.
