Learn Hardcore French: Paul surprend Marie.

The verb appears as surprend, which is the third person singular form in the present tense. This form is used to describe an action happening either now or as a habitual occurrence, and it correctly agrees with the subject Paul.

How do we determine who is doing the action and who is receiving it?

French, like English, typically follows a subject–verb–object word order. In Paul surprend Marie, Paul is the subject performing the action, and Marie is the direct object receiving the action.

Can the verb surprendre be used in a reflexive form, and does that change the meaning?

Yes, surprendre can be used reflexively as se surprendre. When it is reflexive, it means “to be surprised” (as in experiencing surprise oneself). In the given sentence, however, the non-reflexive form is used, so Paul is actively surprising Marie rather than experiencing surprise.

Why are there no articles before the proper names Paul and Marie?

In French, proper names generally do not require a definite or indefinite article unless context specifically calls for one. This is similar to English, where we simply say Paul or Marie without an article in straightforward statements.