How to use French demonstrative adjectives?

French demonstrative adjectives are essential for pointing out specific people or objects in conversation. They correspond to "this," "that," "these," and "those" in English. Understanding their usage is crucial for precise communication in French.

Basic Forms

The basic forms of French demonstrative adjectives are:

• Ce (masculine singular)
• Cette (feminine singular)
• Ces (plural for both genders)

Usage Rules

Masculine Singular

Use "ce" before masculine singular nouns:

• Ce livre (this/that book)
• Ce garçon (this/that boy)

Before a vowel or silent h, "ce" becomes "cet":

• Cet arbre (this/that tree)
• Cet hôtel (this/that hotel)

Feminine Singular

Use "cette" before feminine singular nouns:

• Cette maison (this/that house)
• Cette fille (this/that girl)

Plural

Use "ces" for both masculine and feminine plural nouns:

• Ces livres (these/those books)
• Ces filles (these/those girls)

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)

Examples in Context

• J'aime beaucoup ce restaurant. (I really like this restaurant.)
• Cette voiture est plus rapide que la mienne. (This car is faster than mine.)
• Ces fleurs sont magnifiques. (These flowers are magnificent.)
• Cet homme-ci est mon père, et cet homme-là est mon oncle. (This man here is my father, and that man there is my uncle.)

Remember, French demonstrative adjectives agree in gender and number with the noun they modify. Practice using them in various contexts to master their application in everyday French conversations.