Difference between revisions of "Language/French/Grammar/Demonstrative-determiners"
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The demonstrative determinant makes it possible to show in a precise way the thing, the person or the animal of which one speaks or which one spoke previously. It varies with the gender and number of the name it qualifies. | The demonstrative determinant makes it possible to show in a precise way the thing, the person or the animal of which one speaks or which one spoke previously. It varies with the gender and number of the name it qualifies. | ||
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|plural | |plural | ||
|- | |- | ||
| | |ce, cette | ||
| | |cette | ||
| | |ces | ||
|} | |} | ||
Note 1 : There are also forms composed with '''''-ci'' or ''-là''''' : | Note 1 : There are also forms composed with '''''-ci'' or ''-là''''' : | ||
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We use '''''-ci'' to express proximity in time or space''' , and '''''-là'' for distance.''' | We use '''''-ci'' to express proximity in time or space''' , and '''''-là'' for distance.''' | ||
- Singular masculine: '' | - Singular masculine: ''ce ...-là, ce ...-ci, cet ...-ci, cet ...-là'' | ||
- Singular feminine: '' | - Singular feminine: ''cette ...-ci, cette ...-là'' | ||
- Plural : '' | - Plural: ''ces...-ci, ces...-là''. | ||
Examples : | Examples : | ||
''''- This man- '''one''' married that woman '''there''' .'''' | '<nowiki/>'''- This man- '''one''' married that woman '''there''' .'''' | ||
''''- These children- '''there''' are very wise.'''' | '<nowiki/>'''- These children- '''there''' are very wise.'''' | ||
''- Cet homme-'''ci''' est marié avec cette femme-'''là'''.'' | |||
''- Ces enfants-'''là''' sont très sages.'' | |||
Note 2: When the determinant precedes a noun (or an adjective qualifying this noun) which begins with a '''vowel or a''' silent '''''h''''' , we must use '''''cet'' à la place de ''ce'''''. | |||
Examples : | Examples : | ||
'''''''- this man''' -> '''this''' old man;'''' | <nowiki>''</nowiki>'''''- this man'<nowiki/>'' -> '''this''' old man;'<nowiki/>''' | ||
'<nowiki/>'''- '''this''' craftsman -> '''this''' young craftsman;'''' | |||
'<nowiki/>'''- '''this''' speech -> '''this''' overwhelming speech'''' . | |||
'''''- cet h'''omme -> '''ce''' vieil homme ;'' | |||
''- '''cet a'''rtisan -> '''ce''' jeune artisan ;'' | |||
''- '''ce''' discours -> '''cet''' accablant discours''. | |||
==Summary table of Demonstrative Determiners== | ==Summary table of Demonstrative Determiners== |
Revision as of 15:44, 6 December 2021
The demonstrative determinant makes it possible to show in a precise way the thing, the person or the animal of which one speaks or which one spoke previously. It varies with the gender and number of the name it qualifies.
masculine singular | feminine singular | plural |
ce, cette | cette | ces |
Note 1 : There are also forms composed with -ci or -là :
We use -ci to express proximity in time or space , and -là for distance.
- Singular masculine: ce ...-là, ce ...-ci, cet ...-ci, cet ...-là
- Singular feminine: cette ...-ci, cette ...-là
- Plural: ces...-ci, ces...-là.
Examples :
'- This man- one married that woman there .'
'- These children- there are very wise.'
- Cet homme-ci est marié avec cette femme-là.
- Ces enfants-là sont très sages.
Note 2: When the determinant precedes a noun (or an adjective qualifying this noun) which begins with a vowel or a silent h , we must use cet à la place de ce.
Examples :
''- this man' -> this old man;'
'- this craftsman -> this young craftsman;'
'- this speech -> this overwhelming speech' .
- cet homme -> ce vieil homme ;
- cet artisan -> ce jeune artisan ;
- ce discours -> cet accablant discours.
Summary table of Demonstrative Determiners
Proximate | Non-proximate | ||
---|---|---|---|
masc | ce, cet | ce, cet ... ci | ce, cet ... là |
|
|
| |
fern | cette | cette ... ci | cette ... là |
|
|
| |
plur | ces | ces ... ci | ces ... là |
|
|
|
NB: Masculine cet appears only when the demonstrative determiner immediately precedes a noun or adjective beginning with a vowel or a 'silent h' (h muet):
French | English |
---|---|
cet enfant | this child |
cet ancien marin | that ex-sailor |
cet héroïsme | that heroism |