Difference between revisions of "Language/French/Grammar/The-plural-of-compound-nouns"
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A compound noun ("un nom composé" in French) is a name made up of several words usually separated by dashes (-) but representing only one word. However, the general meaning of the compound name does not always depend on the distinct meanings of each word that composes it, but on the general meaning given to this name. | A compound noun ("un nom composé" in French) is a name made up of several words usually separated by dashes (-) but representing only one word. However, the general meaning of the compound name does not always depend on the distinct meanings of each word that composes it, but on the general meaning given to this name. | ||
In today's lesson, we will study the plural of | In today's lesson, we will study the plural of compounds: | ||
* adjective + noun | |||
* noun + noun | |||
* adverb + noun | |||
* Noun + prepositional phrase | |||
* Verb + noun | |||
==Adjective + noun compounds == | ==Adjective + noun compounds == | ||
<code>adjective + | <code>adjective + noun compounds: both plural</code> | ||
=== General Examples === | === General Examples === |
Revision as of 22:32, 27 November 2021
A compound noun ("un nom composé" in French) is a name made up of several words usually separated by dashes (-) but representing only one word. However, the general meaning of the compound name does not always depend on the distinct meanings of each word that composes it, but on the general meaning given to this name.
In today's lesson, we will study the plural of compounds:
- adjective + noun
- noun + noun
- adverb + noun
- Noun + prepositional phrase
- Verb + noun
Adjective + noun compounds
adjective + noun compounds: both plural
General Examples
French Singular | French Plural |
---|---|
un arc-boutant | des arcs-boutants |
un bas-côté | des bas-côtés |
une basse-cour | des basses-cours |
une belle-fille | des belles-filles |
un cerf-volant | des cerfs-volants |
un coffre-fort | des coffres-forts |
un grand-parent | des grands-parents |
un rond-point | des ronds-points |
Family Members
French Singular | French Plural |
---|---|
un grand-père | des grands-pères |
une grand-mère | des grands-mères or des grand-mères |
un grand-oncle | des grands-oncles |
une grand-tante | des grands-tantes or des grand-tantes |
Exception
French Singular | French Plural |
---|---|
un bonhomme | des bonshommes |
Noun + noun compounds
noun + noun compounds: both plural
General Examples
French Singular | French Plural |
---|---|
un bateau-citerne | des bateaux-citernes |
un bateau-mouche | des bateaux-mouches |
un camion-citerne | des camions-citernes |
un chou-fleur | des choux-fleurs |
un homme-grenouille | des hommes-grenouilles |
une idée-force | des idées-forces |
un mot-clé | des mots-clés |
un oiseau-mouche | des oiseaux-mouches |
une pause-café | des pauses-cafés |
une porte-fenêtre | des portes-fenêtres |
une voiture-restaurant | des voitures-restaurants |
un wagon-lit | des wagons-lits |
Exceptions
French Singular | French Plural |
---|---|
une auto-école | des auto-écoles |
un bain-marie | des bains-marie |
un hôtel-Dieu | des hôtels-Dieu |
un timbre-poste | des timbres-poste |
Adverb + noun compounds
adverb + noun compounds: only noun plural
(although some remain invariable):
French Singular | French Plural |
---|---|
une arrière-boutique | des arrière-boutiques |
une arrière-pensée | des arrière-pensées |
un arrière-plan | des arrière-plans |
une contre-offensive | des contre-offensives |
une contre-offre | des contre-offres |
une demi-bouteille | des demi-bouteilles |
un demi-tarif | des demi-tarifs |
un haut-parleur | des haut-parleurs |
un hors-bord | des hors-bords |
une mini-jupe | des mini-jupes |
un non-lieu | des non-lieux |
un non-paiement | des non-paiements |
- Exception: un sans-travail, des sans-travail
Noun + prepositional phrase compounds
noun + prepositional phrase compounds: only first noun plural
French Singular | French Plural |
---|---|
un aide-de-camp | des aides-de-camp |
un arc-en-ciel | des arcs-en-ciel |
un chef d'oeuvre | des chefs d'oeuvre |
un coup d'oeil | des coups d'oeil |
un coup de pied | des coups de pied |
un croc-en-jambe | des crocs-en-jambe |
une langue-de-chat | des langues-de-chat |
la main d'oeuvre | des mains d'oeuvre |
un mont-de-piété | des monts-de-piété |
une pomme de terre | des pommes de terre |
un pot-de-vin | des pots-de-vin |
- But not all change:
French Singular | French Plural |
---|---|
un pot-au-feu | des pot-au-feu |
un tête-à-queue | des tête-à-queue |
un tête-à-tête | des tête-à-tête |
Verb + noun compounds
In verb + noun compounds, there are three possibilities:
The form remains invariable whether its singular form contains a noun in
the singular or plural. This is the usual pattern:
- des abat-jour
- des essuie-mains
- des gratte-ciel
- des ouvre-boîtes
- des porte-monnaie
The second word becomes plural, normally -s or -x. This is the case with:
- des accroche-coeurs
- des tire-bouchons
- des couvre-lits
These would appear to have been assimilated to the one-word versions, such as:
- le(s) portemanteau(x) coat peg(s)
- le(s) portefeuille(s) wallet(s)
- des appuis-tête
- des soutiens-gorge
It has to be said that in the area of compound nouns not all 'authorities' agree on the rules and attempts to introduce 'logical' rules appear to have added further confusion to an already confused situation!
Verbal phrase compounds
These do not generally have a different plural form:
- des manque-à-gagner
- des on-dit
- des ouï-dire
- des m'as-tu-vu
- des qu'en dira-t-on
- des laisser-passer
- des savoir-faire