Les Déterminants
Les déterminants (determiners) are small words that come before nouns to give more information. They help us understand who or what we are talking about by showing gender, number, and possession.
why are determiners important?
They tell us if a noun is masculine or feminine
They show if something is singular or plural
They help us be precise when talking about things
Types of Determiners
Déterminant Définis (Definite Articles)
Déterminants Indéfinis (Indefinite Articles)
Déterminant Possessifs (Possessive Determiners)
Déterminant Démonstratifs (Demonstrative Determiners)
Déterminant Numéraux (Numerical Determiners)
Déterminant Quantitatifs (Quantitative Determiners)
Déterminant Exclamatifs & Interrogatifs (Exclamatory and Interrogative Determiners) - Quelle, Quels - 'What or Which' *Although the same words are used for exclamatory or interrogative determiners, we can tell the difference between the two based on the context. For example: Quelle surprise! (What a surprise!) or Quelle voiture est la tienne? (Which car is yours?)
Key rule to remember!
French determiners must agree with the genre (gender - masculine/feminine) and nombre (number - singular/plural) of the noun they describe.
Les Déterminants
Possessifs
Use these to indicate ownership or pesession (my/your/his/hers.
Masculin Singulier - Mon, Ton, Son
Féminin Singulier - Ma, Ta, Sa
Singulier - Notre, Votre, Leur
Pluriel - Mes, Tes, Ses, Nos, Vos, Leur
Exclamatifs et Interrogatifs
Use these to express strong feelings or emotions about a noun or when asking questions about a noun (what/which).
*Although the same words are used for exclamatory or interrogative determines, we can tell the difference between the two based on context. For example: Quelle surprise! (What a surprise!) or Quelle voiture est la tienne? (Which car is yours?)
Masculin Singulier - Quel
Féminin Singulier - Quelle
Masculin Pluriel - Quels
Féminin Pluriel - Quelles
Singulier ou Pluriel - Combien de, Que de
Indéfinis
Use these when referring to non-specific nouns or when introducing something for the first time (a/an/some).
Masculin Singulier - Un
Féminin Singulier - Une
Pluriel - Des
Quantitatifs
Use these to express the quantity of a noun (a lot of, little, enough).
* Unlike numerical determiners, quantitative determinerse do not give an exact number but show more or less of something.
Masculin Singulier - Un, Tout, Aucun, Nul
Féminin Singulier - Une, Toute, Aucune, Nulle
Singulier - Beaucoup de, Chaque, Peu de, Plus de
Pluriel - Des, De, D`, Plusieurs, Quelques, Tous
Démonstratifs
Use these to point out specific nouns or to indicate proximity (this/that/these).
Masculin Singulier - Ce, Cet
Féminin Singulier - Cette
Pluriel - Ces
Numéraux
Use these to express quantity or order (exact numbers).
Masculin Singulier - Un, Premier
Féminin Singulier - Une, première
Singulier - Deuxième, Troisième, etc.
Masculin Pluriel - Premiers
Féminin Pluriel - Premières
Pluriel - Deuxièmes, Troisièmes...