French Possessive Adjectives: A Quick Guide
French possessive adjectives are essential for indicating ownership or belonging. Unlike in English, these adjectives agree in gender and number with the noun they modify, not with the possessor. Let's break down their usage and provide some helpful examples.
Basic Forms
French possessive adjectives have different forms depending on:
- The person (first, second, or third)
- The number of possessors (singular or plural)
- The gender and number of the possessed noun
Here's a table of the basic forms:
| Possessor | Masculine | Feminine | Plural | |-----------|-----------|----------|--------| | My | mon | ma | mes | | Your (singular) | ton | ta | tes | | His/Her/Its | son | sa | ses | | Our | notre | notre | nos | | Your (plural) | votre | votre | vos | | Their | leur | leur | leurs |
Usage Examples
Singular Possessed Nouns
- Mon livre (my book)
- Ta voiture (your car)
- Son chat (his/her cat)
Plural Possessed Nouns
- Mes livres (my books)
- Tes voitures (your cars)
- Ses chats (his/her cats)
Special Cases
Feminine Nouns Starting with Vowels
Use the masculine form before feminine nouns starting with a vowel or silent 'h' for easier pronunciation:
- Mon amie (my friend, feminine)
- Son histoire (his/her story)
Stressed Possessive Pronouns
When you want to emphasize possession, use stressed possessive pronouns:
- C'est le mien. (It's mine.)
- C'est la tienne. (It's yours.)
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Don't use the possessor's gender to determine the adjective. Use the possessed noun's gender.
- Remember to use plural forms with plural nouns, even if there's only one possessor.
By mastering these rules and practicing regularly, you'll soon be using French possessive adjectives with confidence!