How to use French possessive adjectives

Updated on 2024-08-12

French possessive adjectives can be tricky for English speakers due to their agreement rules. Let's break down how to use them correctly.

Basic Forms

French possessive adjectives change based on:

  1. The gender and number of the noun they modify
  2. The person and number of the possessor

Here are 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 Rules

Gender Agreement

The possessive adjective agrees with the noun it modifies, not the possessor:

  • mon livre (my book) - masculine noun
  • ma maison (my house) - feminine noun

Exception: Feminine Nouns Starting with Vowels

Use the masculine form before feminine nouns starting with a vowel or mute 'h' for better pronunciation:

  • mon amie (my friend, female)
  • son histoire (his/her story)

Number Agreement

Use plural forms with plural nouns:

  • mes livres (my books)
  • leurs amis (their friends)

Examples in Context

  • J'ai oublié mon portefeuille et mes clés. (I forgot my wallet and my keys.)
  • Notre professeur parle ses langues couramment. (Our teacher speaks his/her languages fluently.)
  • As-tu vu tes résultats d'examen ? (Have you seen your exam results?)

Remember, practice is key to mastering French possessive adjectives. Try creating your own sentences to reinforce these rules.

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