French Demonstrative Adjectives: This, That, These, Those

French demonstrative adjectives are essential for pointing out specific people, objects, or ideas. They're equivalent to "this," "that," "these," and "those" in English. Let's explore how to use them correctly in French.

Forms of French Demonstrative Adjectives

French has four main demonstrative adjectives:

• Ce (masculine singular)
• Cette (feminine singular)
• Ces (plural for both genders)
• Cet (masculine singular before vowels or silent h)

Usage and Examples

Masculine Singular

Use "ce" before masculine nouns:

• Ce livre (this/that book)
• Ce chien (this/that dog)

Before a vowel or silent h, use "cet":

• Cet homme (this/that man)
• Cet arbre (this/that tree)

Feminine Singular

"Cette" is used for all feminine nouns:

• Cette femme (this/that woman)
• Cette maison (this/that house)

Plural (Both Genders)

"Ces" is used for all plural nouns:

• Ces livres (these/those books)
• Ces femmes (these/those women)

Adding Emphasis

To specify "this one here" or "that one there," add "-ci" or "-là" to the noun:

• Ce livre-ci (this book here)
• Cette maison-là (that house there)

Common Mistakes to Avoid

1. Don't forget to match the adjective with the noun's gender and number.
2. Remember to use "cet" before masculine nouns starting with vowels or silent h.
3. Avoid using "ce" with feminine nouns; always use "cette."

Understanding French demonstrative adjectives is crucial for clear communication. Practice using them in various contexts to improve your French language skills.