How to use French possessive adjectives
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:
- The gender and number of the noun they modify
- 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.