How to Use Demonstrative Adjectives to Describe Nouns

Demonstrative adjectives in French—ce, cette, ces—help you point out which nouns you are talking about. Here’s a simple guide on how to use them:

1. What Are Demonstrative Adjectives?

• Ce: This is for singular masculine nouns.
  • Example: ce livre - this book.
• Cette: This is for singular feminine nouns.
  • Example: cette table - this table.
• Ces: This is for plural nouns, whether they are masculine or feminine.
  • Example: ces livres - these books.
  • Example: ces tables - these tables.

2. Matching Gender and Number

• You need to make sure the demonstrative adjective matches the noun:
  • Masculine Singular: Ce chien - this dog.
  • Feminine Singular: Cette voiture - this car.
  • Plural: Ces chiens - these dogs.

3. Simple Examples

• Ce chemisier est beau.
  • (This blouse is beautiful.)
• Cette école est grande.
  • (This school is big.)
• Ces fleurs sont jolies.
  • (These flowers are pretty.)

4. Talking About Negatives

• You can use these adjectives when saying something is not true:
  • Ce n'est pas un problème.
  • (This is not a problem.)

5. Asking Questions

• Use demonstrative adjectives when asking questions to be clear:
  • Est-ce que tu vois cette maison?
  • (Do you see this house?)

By learning how to use demonstrative adjectives, you will get better at speaking French. This will help you describe things in a clear and accurate way!