Concept – Demonstrative adjectives

(French A1 · Determiners)

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What are demonstrative adjectives?

Demonstrative adjectives mean:

👉 this / that / these / those

They are used before a noun to point to a person or thing.

In French, they agree with the gender and number of the noun.

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Forms

Form	Used before
ce	masculine noun
cet	masculine noun + vowel or silent h
cette	feminine noun
ces	plural noun

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Usage rules

Masculine nouns

ce livre (this book)
ce garçon (this boy)

Masculine + vowel or silent h

Use cet before a masculine noun starting with a vowel or silent h.

cet ami (this friend)
cet homme (this man)

❌ ce ami
❌ ce homme

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Feminine nouns

cette maison (this house)
cette voiture (this car)

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Plural nouns

ces livres (these books)
ces amis (these friends)

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Examples

J’aime ce film.
Cette rue est belle.
Cet étudiant est canadien.
Ces enfants sont contents.

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Common mistakes

❌ ce amie
❌ cet voiture
❌ ces livre

✅ cette amie
✅ cette voiture
✅ ces livres

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Summary

• Demonstrative adjectives come before nouns
• They agree with the noun
• Use cet before masculine nouns starting with a vowel or silent h