Language/French/Grammar/Demonstrative-determiners
[CHANGED]
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 ('h muet' in French), we must use cet
instead of ce
.
French | English |
---|---|
cet homme | this man |
cet ancien artisan | that old craftsman |
cet héroïsme | that heroism |
When you add an adjective in front of the noun and if this adjective does not start with a vowel or a silent h, it is "ce" which must be used again.
- 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 |
|
|
|
Other chapters
Videos
Practise your French demonstrative adjectives: CE, CET, CETTE ...
Other Lessons
- Directly transitive verbs without objects
- se as an alternative to an English passive
- "C'est" or "Ce sont"
- Position of subject pronouns
- Masculine and feminine forms of adjectives — A change in written and spoken French
- Masculine and feminine forms of adjectives — A change from a nasal vowel to an oral vowel
- Prepositions
- Use of en
- ensuite VS puis
- Differences in the use of numbers in French and English mille milliers milliards
- Easy way of generating the present subjunctive
- Vous and Tu Complete Guide
- Cardinal numbers
- Common Mistakes
- Cardinal Numbers — When to use figures and when to use words