Other adjectives and pronouns (AQA GCSE French): Revision Notes
Other adjectives and pronouns
Introduction
In French, there are several types of adjectives and pronouns that help us describe and identify things more precisely. Just like the articles le, la, and les, these special adjectives must agree with the gender and number of the nouns they refer to. This means they change their form depending on whether the noun is masculine or feminine, singular or plural.
Understanding Agreement
Agreement is a fundamental concept in French grammar. When we say adjectives "agree" with nouns, it means they must match the noun's characteristics (masculine/feminine and singular/plural) by changing their endings or form.
Demonstrative adjectives
Demonstrative adjectives are used when you want to point out or specify particular items, similar to saying "this," "that," "these," or "those" in English. These adjectives help you be more specific about which item you're talking about.
Forms and agreement
| Masculine singular | Feminine singular | Masculine plural | Feminine plural |
|---|---|---|---|
| ce | cette | ces | ces |
Usage Examples: Demonstrative Adjectives
- ce livre - this/that book
- cette fille - this/that girl
- ces livres - these/those books
- ces filles - these/those girls
Special rule: using "cet"
Critical Rule: The "Cet" Exception
When you have a masculine singular noun that begins with a vowel or silent 'h', you must use "cet" instead of "ce". This makes pronunciation smoother and more natural.
Examples:
- cet hôtel - this/that hotel
- cet animal - this/that animal
Interrogative adjectives
Interrogative adjectives are used to ask "which?" questions. They help you enquire about specific items or people when you need more information.
Forms and agreement
| Masculine singular | Feminine singular | Masculine plural | Feminine plural |
|---|---|---|---|
| quel | quelle | quels | quelles |
Usage Examples: Interrogative Adjectives
- Quel enfant? - Which child?
- Quelle femme? - Which woman?
- Quels garçons? - Which boys?
- Quelles filles? - Which girls?
Indefinite adjectives
Indefinite adjectives express vague or non-specific quantities. The two main indefinite adjectives you need to know are autre (other) and quelque (some). These also change form to match the nouns they describe.
Usage Examples: Indefinite Adjectives
- mon autre frère - my other brother
- ses autres sacs - my other bags
- pendant quelque temps - for some time
- avec quelques amis - with some friends
Notice how quelque becomes quelques in the plural form when referring to "some friends."
Grammar and pronunciation tips
Essential Grammar Points
Agreement is essential: Always check the gender and number of your noun before choosing the correct form of these adjectives.
Remember the "cet" rule: This special form prevents awkward pronunciation when masculine singular nouns begin with vowels.
Pronunciation Guide
- ce sounds like "suh"
- cette sounds like "set"
- ces sounds like "say"
- quel sounds like "kel"
- quelle sounds like "kel" (same pronunciation, different spelling)
Example sentences with translations
Present Tense Examples
- Je voudrais acheter ce gâteau. - I would like to buy this cake.
- Regarde ces énormes poissons! - Look at these enormous fish!
- Quelle voiture préfères-tu? - Which car do you prefer?
- J'ai quelques livres intéressants. - I have some interesting books.
Past Tense Examples
- J'ai acheté cette robe hier. - I bought this dress yesterday.
- Nous avons visité ces musées. - We visited these museums.
- Quel film as-tu regardé? - Which film did you watch?
- Elle a rencontré quelques amis. - She met some friends.
Translation practice
Translation Practice
French to English
- Ces magasins sont fermés.
- Quel âge as-tu?
English to French 3. This hotel is expensive. 4. Which animals do you prefer?
Answers
- These shops are closed.
- How old are you? / What age are you?
- Cet hôtel est cher.
- Quels animaux préfères-tu?
Key Points to Remember:
- All these adjectives must agree with their nouns in gender and number
- Use cet instead of ce before masculine nouns starting with vowels or silent 'h'
- Demonstrative adjectives point out specific items (this/that/these/those)
- Interrogative adjectives ask "which?" questions
- Indefinite adjectives autre and quelque express "other" and "some" respectively