French Possessive Adjectives: A Quick Guide
French possessive adjectives are essential for expressing ownership or belonging. Unlike English, these adjectives agree in gender and number with the noun they modify, not the possessor. Let's break down how to use them correctly.
Forms of French Possessive Adjectives
Singular Possessors
| Possessor | Masculine | Feminine | Plural | |-----------|-----------|----------|--------| | My | Mon | Ma | Mes | | Your | Ton | Ta | Tes | | His/Her/Its | Son | Sa | Ses |
Plural Possessors
| Possessor | All Forms | |-----------|-----------| | Our | Notre / Nos | | Your | Votre / Vos | | Their | Leur / Leurs |
Usage Rules
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The adjective agrees with the noun it modifies, not the owner. Example: "Sa voiture" (His/Her car) - "Sa" is used because "voiture" is feminine.
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Use "Mon," "Ton," "Son" before feminine nouns starting with a vowel or silent 'h' for better pronunciation. Example: "Mon amie" (My female friend), not "Ma amie"
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For plural nouns, use "Mes," "Tes," "Ses," "Nos," "Vos," or "Leurs" regardless of gender. Example: "Mes livres" (My books), "Vos idées" (Your ideas)
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Don't translate literally from English. "Her book" is "Son livre," not "Sa livre," because "livre" is masculine.
- Remember to change the adjective when the noun's number changes. "Mon chien" (My dog) becomes "Mes chiens" (My dogs).
By mastering these rules, you'll be able to express possession accurately in French. Practice with various nouns to reinforce your understanding of gender and number agreement.