Indefinite Adjectives, Adverbs, and Pronouns (les mots indéfinis) Flashcards
Indefinite Adjectives, Adverbs and Pronouns (les mots indéfinis)
Is there anyone?
Il y a quelqu’un?
Indefinite Adjectives, Adverbs and Pronouns (les mots indéfinis)
What is the use of “quelqu’un”?
“Quelqu’un” is an indefinite pronoun. It can be the subject, object, pr the object of a preposition in the sentence. If an adjective follows “quelqu’un”, “de” must precede it.
e.g. Quelqu’un a frappé à la porte.
Indefinite Adjectives, Adverbs and Pronouns (les mots indéfinis)
Do you know anyone in Paris?
Connaissez-vous quelqu’un à Paris?
Indefinite Adjectives, Adverbs and Pronouns (les mots indéfinis)
Ask someone else.
Demandez à quelqu’un d’autre.
Indefinite Adjectives, Adverbs and Pronouns (les mots indéfinis)
We are looking for someone competent.
Nous cherchons quelqu’un de compétent.
Indefinite Adjectives, Adverbs and Pronouns (les mots indéfinis)
Do you need someone to help you?
As-tu besoin de quelqu’un pour t’aider.
Indefinite Adjectives, Adverbs and Pronouns (les mots indéfinis)
What is the use of “quelque chose”?
“Quelque chose” is a neutral indefinite pronoun. It can be the subject, object, or the object of a preposition in the sentence.
- If an adjective follows “quelque chose”, “de” must precede it.
- The adjective is always in the masculine singular form.
- When an infinitive follows “quelque chose” (usually after the verb “avoir”), “à” precedes the infinitive.
e. g. Quelque chose est arrivé.
Indefinite Adjectives, Adverbs and Pronouns (les mots indéfinis)
Do you want to drink something?
Voulez-vous boire quelque chose?
Indefinite Adjectives, Adverbs and Pronouns (les mots indéfinis)
Can I help you?
Je peux faire quelque chose pour vous?
Indefinite Adjectives, Adverbs and Pronouns (les mots indéfinis)
I found something new.
J’ai trouvé quelque chose de nouveau.
Indefinite Adjectives, Adverbs and Pronouns (les mots indéfinis)
Do you have anything to read for me?
As-tu quelque chose à lire pour moi?
Indefinite Adjectives, Adverbs and Pronouns (les mots indéfinis)
Does that seem familiar to you?
Ça te dit quelque chose?
Indefinite Adjectives, Adverbs and Pronouns (les mots indéfinis)
a little something
un petit quelque chose
Indefinite Adjectives, Adverbs and Pronouns (les mots indéfinis)
I read that somewhere.
J’ai lu ça quelque part.
Indefinite Adjectives, Adverbs and Pronouns (les mots indéfinis)
Are you going anywhere tonight?
Vas-tu quelque part ce soir?
Indefinite Adjectives, Adverbs and Pronouns (les mots indéfinis)
What is the ise of “chaque”?
“Chaque” is an indefinite adjective which is only used in the singular. It is always directly followed by the noun it refers to.
e.g. Chaque passager doit avoir un billet.
Indefinite Adjectives, Adverbs and Pronouns (les mots indéfinis)
every day
chaque jour (=tous les jours)
Indefinite Adjectives, Adverbs and Pronouns (les mots indéfinis)
Each French region has its own culinary specialty.
Chaque région française a sa propre spécialité culinaire.
Indefinite Adjectives, Adverbs and Pronouns (les mots indéfinis)
There is a time for everything.
Chaque chose en son temps.
Indefinite Adjectives, Adverbs and Pronouns (les mots indéfinis)
What is the use of “chacun, chacune”?
“Chacun(e)” is an indefinite pronoun. It is only used in the singular, either alone or followed by “de+determiner+noun” or by “d’entre+stressed pronoun”, and can be the subject, object, or the object of a preposition in the sentence.
e.g. Chacun paie sa part, c’est mieux.
Note. One generally uses “d’entre” (instead of “de”) after the pronoun “chacun” when a stressed pronoun follows.
Indefinite Adjectives, Adverbs and Pronouns (les mots indéfinis)
Each one of my students is enthusiastic.
Chacune de mes étudiantes est enthousiaste.
Indefinite Adjectives, Adverbs and Pronouns (les mots indéfinis)
She gave a gift to each of her daughters.
Elle a donné un cadeau à chacune de ses filles.
Indefinite Adjectives, Adverbs and Pronouns (les mots indéfinis)
Each one of you will join me.
Chacun d’entre vous va me joindre.
Indefinite Adjectives, Adverbs and Pronouns (les mots indéfinis)
Everyone for himself and God for all.
Chacun pour soi, et Dieu pour tous.
Indefinite Adjectives, Adverbs and Pronouns (les mots indéfinis)
Everyone to his own taste.
Chacun son goût.
Indefinite Adjectives, Adverbs and Pronouns (les mots indéfinis)
Each one in his turn.
Chacun son tour.
Indefinite Adjectives, Adverbs and Pronouns (les mots indéfinis)
What is the use of “plusieurs”?
“Plusieurs” can be an adjective or pronoun. It is invariable, always plural and can refer to people or things.
- as an indefinite adjective, “plusieurs” is directly followed by a noun. Unlike other expressions of quantity, “plusieurs” does not require “de” before adding on a noun.
e. g. plusieurs fois - as an indefinite pronoun, “plusieurs” stands alone or is followed by “de+determiner+noun” or by “d’entre+stressed pronoun”. It can be the subject or the object in the sentence.
e. g. Plusieurs se sont plaints.
Note: One generally uses “d’entre” (instead of “de”) after the pronoun “plusieurs” when a stressed pronoun follows.
“En” must be used before the verb when the pronoun “plusieurs” is the object in the sentence and stands alone.
Indefinite Adjectives, Adverbs and Pronouns (les mots indéfinis)
He has several cars.
Il a plusieurs voitures.
Indefinite Adjectives, Adverbs and Pronouns (les mots indéfinis)
repeatedly
à plusieurs reprises
Indefinite Adjectives, Adverbs and Pronouns (les mots indéfinis)
Several of my friends are ill.
Plusieurs de mes amis sont malades.
Indefinite Adjectives, Adverbs and Pronouns (les mots indéfinis)
Several of us (you, them) got lost.
Plusieurs d’entre nous (vous, eux) se sont perdus.
Indefinite Adjectives, Adverbs and Pronouns (les mots indéfinis)
I am going to take several.
Je vais en prendre plusieurs.
Indefinite Adjectives, Adverbs and Pronouns (les mots indéfinis)
What is the use of “même”?
“Même” can be an adjective or a pronoun.
a) As an indefinite adjective, “même”
- means “same” whenit precedes the noun
e. g. C’est la même chose.
- means “very”, “itself” when it follows the noun
e. g. Elle est partie le jour même de sa mort.
- means “self” when it follows a stressed pronoun to which it is attached by a hyphen
e. g. Il a écrit le poème lui-même.
b) As an indefinite pronoun, “même(s)” means “same (one(s)), and is always preceded by the definite article
e. g. J’adore ta nouvelle montre. Mon cousin a la même.
NOTE: “Même” can also be an adverb (meaning “even”). In this case, it is not indefinite.
e.g. Il se sont même pas excusés.
Indefinite Adjectives, Adverbs and Pronouns (les mots indéfinis)
They were born the same day.
Ils se sont nés le même jour.
Indefinite Adjectives, Adverbs and Pronouns (les mots indéfinis)
She left the very day after his death.
Elle est partie le jour même de sa mort.
Indefinite Adjectives, Adverbs and Pronouns (les mots indéfinis)
You are generosity itself.
Vous êtes la générosité même.
Indefinite Adjectives, Adverbs and Pronouns (les mots indéfinis)
He wrote the poem himself.
Il a écrit le poème lui-même.
Indefinite Adjectives, Adverbs and Pronouns (les mots indéfinis)
She did it herself.
Elle l’a fait elle-même.
Indefinite Adjectives, Adverbs and Pronouns (les mots indéfinis)
I adore your new watch. My cousin has the same (one).
J’adore ta nouvelle montre. Mon cousin a la même.
Indefinite Adjectives, Adverbs and Pronouns (les mots indéfinis)
It is always the same (ones) who complain.
Ce sont toujours les mêmes qui se plaignent.
Indefinite Adjectives, Adverbs and Pronouns (les mots indéfinis)
They didn’t even apologize.
Ils ne sont même pas excusés.
Indefinite Adjectives, Adverbs and Pronouns (les mots indéfinis)
Don’t pull all eggs in one basket.
Il ne faut pas mettre tous les oeufs dans le même panier.
Indefinite Adjectives, Adverbs and Pronouns (les mots indéfinis)
That amounts to the same thing.
Ça revient au même.
Indefinite Adjectives, Adverbs and Pronouns (les mots indéfinis)
this very day
aujourd’hui même
Indefinite Adjectives, Adverbs and Pronouns (les mots indéfinis)
at the same (clock) time
à la même heure
Indefinite Adjectives, Adverbs and Pronouns (les mots indéfinis)
at the same place
au même endroit
Indefinite Adjectives, Adverbs and Pronouns (les mots indéfinis)
at the same time (=simultaneously)
en même temps
Indefinite Adjectives, Adverbs and Pronouns (les mots indéfinis)
the same way
de la même façon (manière)
Indefinite Adjectives, Adverbs and Pronouns (les mots indéfinis)
What is the use of “certain(e)(s)”?
“Certain(e)(s)” is both an adjective and a pronoun.
- as an indefinite adjective, “certain” precedes the noun and is used with “un(e)” in the singular (meaning: “certain”), and without an article in the plural (meaning: “some”).
e.g. a certain number of mistakes
If “certain” follows the noun it modifies or the verb “être”, it means “sure” and is not indefinite.
e.g un fait certain
- as an indefinite pronoun, “certains” means “some” and is only used in the plural (without an article) [synonym: “quelques-un(e)s”]. It can stand alone or be followed by “de+determiner+noun” or by “d’entre+stressed pronoun.
e. g. Certains pensent qu’il y a de la vie dans l’univers, d’autres en doutent.
NOTE:
- One generally uses “d’entre” (instead of “de”) after the pronoun “certains” when a stressed pronoun follows.
- “En” must be used before the verb when the pronoun “certains” is the object in the sentence and stands alone.
Indefinite Adjectives, Adverbs and Pronouns (les mots indéfinis)
a certain person
une certaine personne
Indefinite Adjectives, Adverbs and Pronouns (les mots indéfinis)
up to a certain point
jusqu’à un certain point
Indefinite Adjectives, Adverbs and Pronouns (les mots indéfinis)
Some French words are of Celtic origin.
Certains mots français sont d’origine celte.
Indefinite Adjectives, Adverbs and Pronouns (les mots indéfinis)
Some people are demanding.
Certaines personnes sont exigeantes.
Indefinite Adjectives, Adverbs and Pronouns (les mots indéfinis)
Some seats are taken.
Certaines places sont prises.
Indefinite Adjectives, Adverbs and Pronouns (les mots indéfinis)
some time, a while
un certain temps
Indefinite Adjectives, Adverbs and Pronouns (les mots indéfinis)
She’ll stay for a while.
Elle restera un certain temps.
Indefinite Adjectives, Adverbs and Pronouns (les mots indéfinis)
for / after some time
depuis / après un certain temps
Indefinite Adjectives, Adverbs and Pronouns (les mots indéfinis)
at times
à certains moments
Indefinite Adjectives, Adverbs and Pronouns (les mots indéfinis) a sure (unquestionable) fact
un fait certain
Indefinite Adjectives, Adverbs and Pronouns (les mots indéfinis)
He is going to be successful, that’s for sure!
Il va réussir, c’est certain!
Indefinite Adjectives, Adverbs and Pronouns (les mots indéfinis)
Some think that there is life in the universe.
Certains pensent qu’il y a de la vie dans l’umivers, d’autres en doutent.
Indefinite Adjectives, Adverbs and Pronouns (les mots indéfinis)
Some of my teachers are lenient.
Certains de mes professeurs sont indulgents.
Indefinite Adjectives, Adverbs and Pronouns (les mots indéfinis)
Some of them want to leave.
Certains d’entre eux veulent partir.
Indefinite Adjectives, Adverbs and Pronouns (les mots indéfinis)
I still have some.
J’en ai encore certains.
Indefinite Adjectives, Adverbs and Pronouns (les mots indéfinis)
What is the use of “Quelque(s)”?
“Quelques” is both an adjective and an adverb.
I. As an indefinite adjective, “quelque(s)” directly precedes the noun.
a) In the singular, “quelque” is used without a determiner and means
- “some, a little”
e.g. Il me reste quelque argent.
- “some kind of”
e.g. Il trouvera quelque excuse.
b) In the plural, “quelques” means “a few”. It can be used without a determiner or be preceded by a definite article, a demonstrative or a possesive adjective.
e.g. Je reviens dans quelques minutes.
NOTE:
- “Quelques” is used after “et” following a number and noun to express “over”, “more than”.
e. g. Cette femme a trente ans et quelques.
II. As an indefinite adverb, “quelque” is invariable and means “about” (synonym: “environ”)
e.g. Il y a quelque vingt ans.
Indefinite Adjectives, Adverbs and Pronouns (les mots indéfinis)
I have some (a little) money left.
Il me reste quelque argent.
Indefinite Adjectives, Adverbs and Pronouns (les mots indéfinis)
That is going to last some time.
Ça va a durer quelque temps.
Indefinite Adjectives, Adverbs and Pronouns (les mots indéfinis)
He will find some (kind of) excuse.
Il trouvera quelque excuse.
Indefinite Adjectives, Adverbs and Pronouns (les mots indéfinis)
somehow
en quelque sorte
Indefinite Adjectives, Adverbs and Pronouns (les mots indéfinis)
I’ll come back in a few minutes.
Je reviens dans quelques minutes.
Indefinite Adjectives, Adverbs and Pronouns (les mots indéfinis)
a few months ago
il y a quelques mois
Indefinite Adjectives, Adverbs and Pronouns (les mots indéfinis)
Here are the few fish (that) I caught.
Voilà les quelques poissons que j’ai attrapés.
Indefinite Adjectives, Adverbs and Pronouns (les mots indéfinis)
Let’s read these few pages.
Lisons ces quelques pages.
Indefinite Adjectives, Adverbs and Pronouns (les mots indéfinis)
This woman is over thirty years old.
Cette femme a trente ans et quelques.
Indefinite Adjectives, Adverbs and Pronouns (les mots indéfinis)
How do you say “whatever” in French?
quelque + noun + que + verb in subjunctive
e.g. Quelque solution que vous proposiez, il la rejettra.
Indefinite Adjectives, Adverbs and Pronouns (les mots indéfinis)
Whatever solution you may propose, he’ll reject it.
Quelque solution que vous proposiez, il la rejettera.
Indefinite Adjectives, Adverbs and Pronouns (les mots indéfinis)
about twenty years ago
il y a quelque vingt ans
Indefinite Adjectives, Adverbs and Pronouns (les mots indéfinis)
How do you say “however” in French? (quelque)
quelque+adjective or adverb+que+verb in subjunctive
e.g. Quelque travailleurs qu’ils soient, ils ne réussiront pas.
Indefinite Adjectives, Adverbs and Pronouns (les mots indéfinis)
However hardworking they may be, they will not succeed.
Quelque travailleurs qu’ils soient, ils ne réussiront pas.
Indefinite Adjectives, Adverbs and Pronouns (les mots indéfinis)
What is the use of “quelques-un(e)s”?
“Quelques-un(e)s” is indefinite pronoun which is only used in the plural. It refers to both persons and things and replaces the adjective “quelques + noun”. It can stand alone or be followed by “de+determiner+noun” or by “d’entre+stressed pronoun”.
e.g. Quelques-uns affirment que ce roman est un chef-d’oeuvre.
Indefinite Adjectives, Adverbs and Pronouns (les mots indéfinis)
Some claim this novel is a masterpiece.
Quelques-uns affirment que ce roman est un chef-d’oeuvre.
Indefinite Adjectives, Adverbs and Pronouns (les mots indéfinis)
Some of these letters are illegible.
Quelques-unes de ces lettres sont illisibles.
Indefinite Adjectives, Adverbs and Pronouns (les mots indéfinis)
Do you know the films by Truffaut? - I saw some last year.
Connaissez-vous les films de Truffaut? - J’en ai vu quelques-uns l’année dernière.
Indefinite Adjectives, Adverbs and Pronouns (les mots indéfinis)
Some of us were tired.
Quelques-uns d’entre nous étaient fatigués.
Indefinite Adjectives, Adverbs and Pronouns (les mots indéfinis)
What is the use of “on”?
On is invariable indefinite personal pronoun which occurs only as subject. The verb used with “on” is always in the third person singular form.
e.g. On doît être prudent sur l’autoroute.
NOTE
- In conventional French, ‘‘on’’ replaces ‘‘nous’’ and can also be used to replace ‘‘tu’’ and ‘‘vous’’ (often to express irony)
e.g On ne s’est pas vus depuis longemps.
Note that if ‘‘on’’ replaces a plural pronoun, adjectives and past participles referring to ‘‘on’’ agree in gender and number with the group of people ‘‘on’’ replaces. The verb, however, is always in the third person.
- After certain monosyllables ending in pronounced vowel sound, such as ‘‘et, où, ou, si, que’’ ‘’ l’ ‘’ is frequently used before ‘‘on’’ for phonetic reasons in the written language. This ‘’ l’ ‘’ has no meaning and its use is optional.
e.g. On peut si l’on veut.
- ‘‘On’’ is often used to avoid a passive construction.
e.g. On a construit la maison en 1990.
- The object pronoun which corresponds to ‘‘on’’ is ‘‘te’’ or ‘‘vous’’
e.g Aux États-Unis, on t’appelle par le prénom.
Indefinite Adjectives, Adverbs and Pronouns (les mots indéfinis)
What if we took a break?
Si on faisait une pause?
Indefinite Adjectives, Adverbs and Pronouns (les mots indéfinis)
Shall we leave?
On s’en va?
Indefinite Adjectives, Adverbs and Pronouns (les mots indéfinis)
It looks like you are afraid.
On dirait qu’on a peur!
Indefinite Adjectives, Adverbs and Pronouns (les mots indéfinis)
One can if one wants to.
On peut si l’on veut.
Indefinite Adjectives, Adverbs and Pronouns (les mots indéfinis)
Do you know that they arrested the criminal?
Savez-vous que l’on a arrête le criminal.
Indefinite Adjectives, Adverbs and Pronouns (les mots indéfinis)
When one disturbs her, she gets angry.
Si on la dérange, elle se fâche.
Indefinite Adjectives, Adverbs and Pronouns (les mots indéfinis)
The house was built in 1990.
On a construit la maison en 1990.
Indefinite Adjectives, Adverbs and Pronouns (les mots indéfinis)
I was told that you were ill.
On m’a dit que tu étais malade.
Indefinite Adjectives, Adverbs and Pronouns (les mots indéfinis)
In the United States, they call you by the first name.
Aux États-Unis, on t’appelle par le prénom.
Indefinite Adjectives, Adverbs and Pronouns (les mots indéfinis)
There is no place like home.
On n’est jamais aussi bien que chez soi.
Indefinite Adjectives, Adverbs and Pronouns (les mots indéfinis)
One is like one is.
On est comme on est.
Indefinite Adjectives, Adverbs and Pronouns (les mots indéfinis)
One cannot please everyone and his brother.
On ne peut pas contener tout le monde et son père.
Indefinite Adjectives, Adverbs and Pronouns (les mots indéfinis)
What is the use of ‘‘quelconque’’?
'’Quelconque’’ is an indefinite adjective which always follows ‘‘un(e)’’ + noun.
e.g. Il a mentionné le nom d’un auteur quelconque.
NOTE:
‘‘Quelconque’’ may also mean ‘‘mediocre, commonplace, ordinary’’. It is then not indefinite, often modified by an adverb (très, trop, etc.), and can be singular or plural.
e.g J’ai lu des romans très quelconques.
Indefinite Adjectives, Adverbs and Pronouns (les mots indéfinis)
What is the use of ‘‘quiconque’’?
Quiconque is an invariable indefinite pronoun and refers only to persons. It is always singular and can be the subject, object or the object of a preposition in the sentence.
e.g. Quiconque a lu ce livre en admire le style.
Indefinite Adjectives, Adverbs and Pronouns (les mots indéfinis)
Do you have a preference for a brand of detergent? - No, buy any brand.
As-tu une preference pour une marque de lessive?
Non, achète une marque quelconque.
Indefinite Adjectives, Adverbs and Pronouns (les mots indéfinis)
I read somevery mediocre (poor) novels.
J’ai lu des romans très quelconques.
Indefinite Adjectives, Adverbs and Pronouns (les mots indéfinis)
He found this play mediocre.
Il a trouvé cette pièce quelconque.
Indefinite Adjectives, Adverbs and Pronouns (les mots indéfinis)
Whoever read this book admires its style.
Quiconque a lu ce livre en admire le style.
Indefinite Adjectives, Adverbs and Pronouns (les mots indéfinis)
The leaders of this country punish anyone who criticizes the government.
Le dirigeants de ce pays punissent quiconque critique le gouvernement.
Indefinite Adjectives, Adverbs and Pronouns (les mots indéfinis)
They required a passport from anyone who crossed the border.
On exigeait un passeport de quinconque passait la frontiere.
Indefinite Adjectives, Adverbs and Pronouns (les mots indéfinis)
You know it better than anybody.
Vous le savez mieux que quiconque.
Indefinite Adjectives, Adverbs and Pronouns (les mots indéfinis)
What is the use of n’importe (quell, lequel, qui, quoi, où, quand, comment
a) The indefinite adjective ‘‘n’importe quel(quelle, quels, quelles) (any) is followed directly by a noun. `'’Quel’’ agrees in gender and number with this noun.
e. g. Venez n’importe quel jour.
b) The indefinite pronoun ‘‘n’importe lequel (laquelle, lesquels, lesquelles) agrees in gender and number with the noun it replaces.
e. g. Quel roman faut-il lire? - N’importe lequel.
c) Other indefinite pronouns are: n’importe qui (anyone at (all)) and n’importe quoi (anything (at all))
e. g. N’importe qui peut faire cela.
NOTE:
- `'’N’importe quel, lequel, qui, quoi’’ can be subject, object or the object of a preposition in the sentence.
- '’N’importe quoi’’ can also mean ‘‘nonsense’’, ‘‘nonsensical things’’ in phrases such as:
e. g Ne dis pas n’importe quoi.
d) N’importe où (anywhere (at all)), n’importe quand (any time (at all)) and ‘‘n’importe comment’’ (any which way) are indefinite adverbs.
e. g. Vous pouvez vous metre n’importe où.
Indefinite Adjectives, Adverbs and Pronouns (les mots indéfinis)
Come any day
Venez n’importe quel jour.
Indefinite Adjectives, Adverbs and Pronouns (les mots indéfinis)
Any car will do
N’importe quelle voiture fera l’affaire.
Indefinite Adjectives, Adverbs and Pronouns (les mots indéfinis)
Call me at any time.
Téléphonez-moi à n’importe quelle heure.
Indefinite Adjectives, Adverbs and Pronouns (les mots indéfinis)
Which novel must we read? - Just any
Quel roman faut-il lire? - N’importe lequel.
Indefinite Adjectives, Adverbs and Pronouns (les mots indéfinis)
Any of my students knows that.
N’importe laquelle de mes étudiantes sait cela.
Indefinite Adjectives, Adverbs and Pronouns (les mots indéfinis)
Anyone can do that
N’importe qui peut faire cela.
Indefinite Adjectives, Adverbs and Pronouns (les mots indéfinis)
Ask anyone.
Demandez à n’importe qui.
Indefinite Adjectives, Adverbs and Pronouns (les mots indéfinis)
This could have happened to anyone.
Ça aurait pu arriver à n’importe qui.
Indefinite Adjectives, Adverbs and Pronouns (les mots indéfinis)
He would do anything to succeed.
Il ferait n’importe quoi pour réussir.
Indefinite Adjectives, Adverbs and Pronouns (les mots indéfinis)
Anything will suit me.
N’importe quoi m’arrangera.
Indefinite Adjectives, Adverbs and Pronouns (les mots indéfinis)
Don’t talk nonsense.
Ne dis pas n’importe quoi.
Indefinite Adjectives, Adverbs and Pronouns (les mots indéfinis)
She doesn’t know what she is doing.
Elle fait n’importe quoi.
Indefinite Adjectives, Adverbs and Pronouns (les mots indéfinis)
You can sit down anywhere.
Vous pouvez vous metre n’importe où.
Indefinite Adjectives, Adverbs and Pronouns (les mots indéfinis)
Come and see me any time.
Venez me voir n’importe quand.
Indefinite Adjectives, Adverbs and Pronouns (les mots indéfinis)
He does his work any which way.
Il fait son travail n’importe comment.
Indefinite Adjectives, Adverbs and Pronouns (les mots indéfinis)
I don’t see anything.
Je ne vois rien.
Indefinite Adjectives, Adverbs and Pronouns (les mots indéfinis)
I don’t know anyone.
Je ne connais personne.
Indefinite Adjectives, Adverbs and Pronouns (les mots indéfinis)
Do you see anything?
Vois-tu quelque chose?
Indefinite Adjectives, Adverbs and Pronouns (les mots indéfinis)
Do you know anyone?
Connais-tu quelqu’un?
Indefinite Adjectives, Adverbs and Pronouns (les mots indéfinis)
What is the use of “une(e)”?
“Un(e)” is an indefinite pronoun and replaces “un(e) + noun”. It assumes the gender and number of the noun it replaces and has four forms: “un (masc. sing.), une fem. sing.), uns (masc. plur.), unes (fem. plur.)
e.g. Combien de filles avez-vous? - J’en ai une.
When the pronoun “un” is used as an object, “en” must be used before the verb.
NOTE:
a) The definite article (l’) is often used before “un(e)” when it is followed by “de+determiner+noun” or by “de+pronoun”
e.g L’un des ouvriers a été licencié.
b)The definite article is always used before “un(e)(s)” in combination with “autre”.
- when “un(e)(s)” is part of the expressions “l’un(e)…l’autre, les un(e)(s)…les autres, les un(e)(s)…d’autres” expressing a contrast, i.e., distinguishing between two beings or things (in the singular) and between two groups of beings or things (in the plural).
e.g. J’ai deux fils. L’un a deux ans, l’autre en a dix.
- when “un(e)(s)” is part of the expressions:
l’un(e) l’autre” (each other) (of two),
l’un(e)+preposition+l’autre,
les un(e)s les autres (one another) (of more than two),
les un(e)s+preposition+les autres (each other) (of more than two),
expressing reciprocity or stressing the reciprocal meaning with a reflexive verb.
e.g. Elle a les deux pgotos surl la table, l’une a côté de l’autre.
Indefinite Adjectives, Adverbs and Pronouns (les mots indéfinis)
How many daughters do you have?
Combien de filles avez-vous?
J’en ai deux.
Indefinite Adjectives, Adverbs and Pronouns (les mots indéfinis)
Did you see the cats? - No, not (a single) one.
As-tu vu le chats? - Non, pas un (seul)
Indefinite Adjectives, Adverbs and Pronouns (les mots indéfinis)
Did he make any mistakes? - More than one.
A-t-il fait des fautes? - Plus d’une!
Indefinite Adjectives, Adverbs and Pronouns (les mots indéfinis)
One of the workers was laid off.
L’un des ouvriers a étè licencié.
Indefinite Adjectives, Adverbs and Pronouns (les mots indéfinis)
Can I take one of you (ladies) home?
Puis-je raccompagner l’une de vous?
Indefinite Adjectives, Adverbs and Pronouns (les mots indéfinis)
I have two sons. One is two years old, the other is ten.
J’ai deux fils. L’un a deux ans, l’autre en a dix.
Indefinite Adjectives, Adverbs and Pronouns (les mots indéfinis)
One doesn’t rule out the other.
L’un n’empêche pas l’autre.