Language/French/Grammar/Demonstrative-determiners
Definition: Demonstrative Determiners
The demonstrative determiner 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
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
- Cet homme-ci est marié avec cette femme-là.
This man here is married that woman there.
- Ces enfants-là sont très sages.
These children there are very wise.
Note
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
- cet homme -> ce vieil homme
this man -> this old man
- cet artisan -> ce jeune artisan
this craftsman -> this young craftsman
- ce discours -> cet accablant discours
this speech -> this overwhelming speech
Summary table: 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 |