French Demonstrative Adjectives: This, That, These, Those

French demonstrative adjectives are essential tools for pointing out specific nouns in conversation. They're equivalent to "this," "that," "these," and "those" in English.

Let's explore how to use them correctly and avoid common pitfalls.

What Are French Demonstrative Adjectives?

Demonstrative adjectives in French are used to indicate a specific noun or group of nouns.

They agree with the noun in number and sometimes in gender.

The Four French Demonstrative Adjectives

1. Ce (masculine singular)
2. Cet (masculine singular before a vowel or silent h)
3. Cette (feminine singular)
4. Ces (plural for both genders)

How to Use French Demonstrative Adjectives

Singular Forms

• Use ce before masculine nouns: ce livre (this/that book)
• Use cet before masculine nouns starting with a vowel or silent h: cet arbre (this/that tree)
• Use cette before feminine nouns: cette maison (this/that house)

Plural Form

• Use ces for all plural nouns, regardless of gender: ces livres (these/those books), ces maisons (these/those houses)

Key Rules to Remember

1. Demonstrative adjectives replace articles, not accompany them.
2. They're placed directly before the noun or adjective + noun combination.
3. They must agree with the noun in number and sometimes gender.
4. You can replace a demonstrative adjective + noun with a demonstrative pronoun.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

1. Don't use ce before masculine nouns starting with a vowel or silent h. Use cet instead.
2. There's no feminine plural form like ~~cettes~~. Always use ces for plurals.
3. Don't confuse demonstrative adjectives with demonstrative pronouns.

Distinguishing Between "This" and "That"

French demonstrative adjectives don't differentiate between "this" and "that" on their own. To make this distinction, add the suffixes -ci (for "this") or -là (for "that") to the noun:

• ce livre-ci (this book) vs. ce livre-là (that book)
• cette chaise-ci (this chair) vs. cette chaise-là (that chair)

Conclusion

French demonstrative adjectives are crucial for precise communication.

With practice, you'll use them naturally in your French conversations.