Other adjectives and pronouns (Edexcel GCSE French): Revision Notes
Other adjectives and pronouns
Other adjectives and pronouns are essential grammar tools that help you describe and point to specific things in French. Unlike regular adjectives, these special types must match the gender and number of the nouns they describe, just like le, la, and les.
Demonstrative adjectives
Demonstrative adjectives are used when you want to point to something specific, meaning "this", "that", "these", or "those" in English. They help identify exactly which item you're talking about.
| Masculine singular | Feminine singular | Masculine plural | Feminine plural |
|---|---|---|---|
| ce | cette | ces | ces |
Notice that both masculine and feminine plural forms use the same word: ces. This makes the plural form easier to remember than the singular forms!
Usage examples
Basic Demonstrative Adjective Usage:
- ce livre → this/that book
- cette fille → this/that girl
- ces livres → these/those books
- ces filles → these/those girls
Special rule for masculine nouns
When a masculine singular noun begins with a vowel or silent 'h', use cet instead of ce:
- cet hôtel → this/that hotel
- cet espace → this/that space
This rule prevents awkward pronunciation and maintains the flow of French speech.
Example sentences
Demonstrative Adjectives in Context:
Je voudrais acheter ce gâteau. → I would like to buy this cake.
Regarde ces poissons énormes! → Look at these enormous fish!
Interrogative adjectives
Interrogative adjectives are used to ask "which?" in questions. They must agree with the noun they're asking about.
| Masculine singular | Feminine singular | Masculine plural | Feminine plural |
|---|---|---|---|
| quel | quelle | quels | quelles |
These adjectives are particularly useful in exam situations when you need to ask for specific information or clarification. They're also commonly used in everyday French conversation.
Usage examples
Interrogative Adjective Usage:
- Quel enfant? → Which child?
- Quelle femme? → Which woman?
- Quels garçons? → Which boys?
- Quelles filles? → Which girls?
Indefinite adjectives
Indefinite adjectives describe non-specific amounts or types. The most common ones are autre (other) and quelque (some), and they also need to agree with their nouns.
Examples with agreement
Indefinite Adjectives in Practice:
- mon autre frère → my other brother
- ses autres chaussures → her other shoes
- pendant quelque temps → for some time
- avec quelques amis → with some friends
Notice how quelque becomes quelques in the plural form when it means "some" or "a few".
Practice exercise
Practice Exercise: Demonstrative Adjectives
Try filling in the gaps with the correct form: ce, cette, cet, or ces
- _______ stylo (this pen)
- _______ homme (this man)
- _______ maison (this house)
- _______ magasin (this shop)
- _______ animaux (these animals)
- _______ cravate (this tie)
- _______ personnes (these people)
- _______ famille (this family)
Answers: 1. ce, 2. cet, 3. cette, 4. ce, 5. ces, 6. cette, 7. ces, 8. cette
Translation practice
Translation Practice
French to English:
- Quelle voiture préfères-tu? → Which car do you prefer?
- Ces chaussures sont trop chères. → These shoes are too expensive.
English to French:
- This hotel is expensive → Cet hôtel est cher.
- Which books do you want? → Quels livres veux-tu?
Key Points to Remember:
- Demonstrative adjectives (ce, cette, ces, cet) point to specific things and mean "this/that" or "these/those"
- Interrogative adjectives (quel, quelle, quels, quelles) ask "which?" and must agree with the noun
- Indefinite adjectives like autre and quelque describe non-specific amounts and also need agreement
- Use cet instead of ce before masculine nouns starting with a vowel or silent 'h'
- All these adjectives must match the gender and number of their nouns - this is crucial for GCSE success!