Possessive Adjectives and Pronouns (les adjectifs possessifs) Flashcards
Possessive Adjectives and Pronouns (les adjectifs possessifs)
In what agree the possessive adjectives in French?
In French, the possessive adjectives agree in gender (masculine or feminine) and number (singular or plural) with the noun that follows, i.e., with the item owned.
Possessive Adjectives and Pronouns (les adjectifs possessifs)
Name all possessive adjectives.
Singular (one item is owned) Plural (several items are owned)
masc. fem. masc.+fem.
mon ma mes
ton ta tes
son sa ses
notre notre nos votre votre vos leur leur leurs
For phonetic reasons (i.e. to avoid a clash of vowels), the masculine singular forms “mon, ton, son” are used instead of “ma, ta, sa” before a feminine singular noun or adjective beginning with a vowel pr mute “h”.
f.e. mon adresse - ma nouvelle adresse
BUT
“Ma, ta, sa” are used before a feminine noun or adjective beginning with “h aspiré” and before “huitième” and “onzième” + feminine noun.
f.e. ta haine, ma onzième voiture
Possessive Adjectives and Pronouns (les adjectifs possessifs)
my father
your brother
his (her) pen
mon père
ton frère
son stylo
Possessive Adjectives and Pronouns (les adjectifs possessifs)
my mother
your sister
his (her) briefcase
ma mère
ta soeursa serviette
Possessive Adjectives and Pronouns (les adjectifs possessifs)
our teacher
your friend
their son
notre professeur votre amie(e) leur fils (fille)
Possessive Adjectives and Pronouns (les adjectifs possessifs)
my parents
your friends
his (her) cousins
mes parents
tes amis
ses cousins
Possessive Adjectives and Pronouns (les adjectifs possessifs)
our children
your clothes
their nephews
nos enfants
vos vêtements
leurs neveux
Possessive Adjectives and Pronouns (les adjectifs possessifs)
You forgot your camera (your briefcase, your keys)
Tu as oublié ton appareil photo (ta mallette, tes clés)
Possessive Adjectives and Pronouns (les adjectifs possessifs)
Do you have your passport, Sir?
Avez-vous votre passeport, Monsieur?
Possessive Adjectives and Pronouns (les adjectifs possessifs)
Your identity documents please, Madam.
Vos papiers s.v.p., Madame.
Possessive Adjectives and Pronouns (les adjectifs possessifs)
Your table is ready, gentlemen.
Votre table est prête, Messieurs.
Possessive Adjectives and Pronouns (les adjectifs possessifs)
Bring your toys, children!
Apportez vos jouets, mes enfants!
Possessive Adjectives and Pronouns (les adjectifs possessifs)
What may be added after the noun to express “his” and “ her” in order to avoid any ambiguity when translating “his” or “her”?
à lui - his
à elle - her
son fils à lui sa fille à lui
son fils à elle sa fille à elle
Possessive Adjectives and Pronouns (les adjectifs possessifs)
your clock - your old clock
ton horloge - ta vieille horloge
Possessive Adjectives and Pronouns (les adjectifs possessifs)
his (her) friend - his girlfriend
son amie - sa petite amie
Possessive Adjectives and Pronouns (les adjectifs possessifs)
your other car - your own car
ton autre voiture - ta propre voiture
Possessive Adjectives and Pronouns (les adjectifs possessifs)
my idea - my good idea
mon idée - ma bonne idée
Possessive Adjectives and Pronouns (les adjectifs possessifs)
his loud voice
sa haute voix
Possessive Adjectives and Pronouns (les adjectifs possessifs)
his eighth wife
sa huitième femme
Possessive Adjectives and Pronouns (les adjectifs possessifs)
We spoke to them about their children.
Nous leur avons parlé de leurs enfants.
Possessive Adjectives and Pronouns (les adjectifs possessifs)
Please fasten your seatbelts.
Veuillez attacher votre ceinture de sécurité.
Possessive Adjectives and Pronouns (les adjectifs possessifs)
What are the uses of the possessive adjectives?
- Contrary to English, the possessive adjective must be replaced before each noun, even if the form is the same.
f. e. ma tante et mon oncle
The French generally uses a singular possessive adjective and a singular noun when there are several owners and several items owned, but each owner possesses only one of the items.
EXCEPT
- if one and the same thing or person is reffered to
f.e. Je te présente mon collègue et cher ami Jean Avenel.
- if two nouns form unit
f.e. Il s’entend bien avec ses frères et soeurs.
- in administrative language
f.e. Écrivez votre nom, prénom et adresse.
2. If the possessor is “on, chacun, quelqu’un, personne, tout le monde”, or another indefinite word, “son, sa” and “ses” are used.
f.e. On doit faire de son mieux.
3. The word “propre” (own) after the possessive adjective reinforces the possession.
f.e. ma propre chambre
4. The possessive adjective can also be emphasized by the addition of “à+disjunctive pronoun.
f.e. C’est ma chambre à moi.
Possessive Adjectives and Pronouns (les adjectifs possessifs)
Everyone has his shortcomings.
Chacun (tout le monde) a ses défauts.
Possessive Adjectives and Pronouns (les adjectifs possessifs)
One must keep one’s promises.
Il faut tenir ses promesses.