SpeeekDownload on the App Store
Back to Doctor Visit

French Phrase

Le Dr. Smith prend des patients ?

/lə dʁə smit pʁɑ̃ de pa.sjɑ̃/
Meaning"Does Dr. Smith take patients?"
💡

Meaning

The sentence asks whether Dr. Smith is currently accepting patients, i.e., if you can schedule an appointment with him. It is a polite, neutral way to inquire about a doctor’s availability.

🎯

When to use

Use this phrase when you are looking for a new physician, calling a clinic, or speaking with a receptionist to find out if a particular doctor is taking new patients.

✦Grammar Breakdown

LeDr.Smithprenddespatients?

1

Definite article (Le)

Le is the masculine singular definite article used before a noun or a title like Dr.

2

Abbreviation (Dr.)

Dr. is the French abbreviation for docteur; it does not affect the grammar of the sentence.

3

Verb (prend)

Prendre is conjugated in the present tense, third person singular (il/elle prend) meaning “takes/accepts”.

4

Partitive article (des)

Des is the plural partitive article, used here to indicate “some patients” in a general sense.

5

Noun (patients)

Patients is a masculine plural noun meaning “patients”.

6

Question formation

In spoken French, a rising intonation after the statement is enough; in formal writing you can add a question mark without inversion.

🗨In Conversation

A

Le Dr. Smith prend des patients ?

Does Dr. Smith take patients?

Oui, il accepte de nouveaux patients chaque mois.

Yes, he accepts new patients each month.

B

✕Common Mistakes

  • Le Dr. Smith est des patients ?

    Avoid using "est" (is) because the verb needed is "prend" (takes/accepts).

  • Le Dr. Smith prends des patients ?

    The verb must agree with the third‑person singular subject; "prends" is first‑person singular.

  • Le Dr. Smith prend de patients ?

    When speaking generally about patients, the partitive plural "des" is required, not the singular "de".

  • Le Dr Smith prend des patients ?

    In French the title is abbreviated with a period and the name follows; omit the period only in informal notes.

↔Alternatives

  • Le Dr. Smith accepte-t-il de nouveaux patients ?

    Does Dr. Smith accept new patients?

  • Est-ce que le Dr. Smith prend des patients ?

    Is Dr. Smith taking patients?

  • Le Dr. Smith voit‑il de nouveaux patients ?

    Is Dr. Smith seeing new patients?

fr

Cultural Tip

In French medical practice, asking if a doctor "prend des patients" is the standard way to check availability. Keep the tone courteous; you may add "s’il vous plaît" or use the more formal "Est‑ce que le docteur Smith accepte de nouveaux patients ?" especially when speaking to administrative staff.