Paul est vieux.

to be

Breakdown of Paul est vieux.

• Paul: Paul
• vieux: old

Questions & Answers about Paul est vieux.

What is the basic structure of the sentence "Paul est vieux."?

The sentence follows a simple construction: Subject + Linking Verb + Predicate Adjective. Here, Paul is the subject, est is the third person singular form of être (meaning "to be"), and vieux is a predicate adjective describing Paul.

How does adjective agreement work in this sentence?

In French, adjectives must agree with the nouns they modify in gender and number. Since Paul is a masculine singular noun, the adjective vieux is correctly in its masculine singular form. If the subject were feminine, you would use a different form (for example, vieille for a feminine noun).

Why is the adjective placed after the verb rather than before the subject?

When an adjective is used as a predicate—following a linking verb like être—it is placed after the verb. In the sentence "Paul est vieux," vieux functions as a predicate adjective describing the subject, so it comes after est. Some adjectives do come before nouns when used in an attributive position, but that is not the case here.

Is there a difference between using vieux and âgé to describe someone's age?

Yes, while both adjectives can convey the idea of being "old," there is a nuance in tone. Vieux directly translates as "old" and is common in everyday language, but it can sometimes sound blunt or informal. Âgé is a more formal or polite way to describe someone's age, especially in respectful or official contexts.

How is the verb est conjugated, and why is it used in this sentence?

Est is the third person singular present tense form of the irregular verb être ("to be"). It is used here because the subject Paul is third person singular. This conjugation is essential for forming a correct and simple descriptive sentence in French.