Study Notes on French Demonstrative Adjectives

Introduction to French Demonstrative Adjectives

  • The demonstrative adjectives in French are used to point out specific objects or people.
  • The primary forms include:
    • « CE » (Masculine Singular)
    • « CETTE » (Feminine Singular)
    • « CES » (Plural, both Masculine and Feminine)
  • These function as tools to "show" or indicate something in the environment or context.

Functions and Usage of Demonstratives

  • Pointing Out Objects (Visual Indication)

    • Demonstrative adjectives are used to identify a specific item being observed.
    • Examples of showing an object:
      • ce chat (this/that cat)
      • cette voiture (this/that car)
      • ces arbres (these/those trees)

  • Indicating Distance (Proximity and Remoteness)

    • The demonstrative adjective is used regardless of whether the object is close to the speaker or far away.
    • Example of proximity (Close): « Regarde cette fourmi (sur le sol). » (Look at this ant on the ground.)
    • Example of distance (Far): « Regarde cette étoile (dans le ciel). » (Look at that star in the sky.)

Temporal Usage: Identifying Specific Moments in Time

  • Demonstrative adjectives are used to designate a specific moment within the current day.
  • Specific Moments (Today):
    • « ce matin »: Refers specifically to this morning (today).
    • « cet après-midi »: Refers specifically to this afternoon (today).
    • « ce soir »: Refers specifically to this evening (today).
  • General Reference Comparison:
    • Contrast « ce matin » (today) with « le matin » (in general).
    • Contrast « cet après-midi » (today) with « l'après-midi » (in general).
    • Contrast « ce soir » (today) with « le soir » (in general).

Morphological Rules and Gender/Number Agreement

  • The demonstrative adjective must agree in gender and number with the noun it modifies.

  • Singular Forms:

    • Masculine: Uses « ce » (or « cet » depending on the following letter).
      • Example: ce chat
    • Feminine: Uses « cette ».
      • Example: cette voiture

  • Plural Forms:

    • Masculine and Feminine: Both use the form « ces ».
      • Example (Masculine Plural): ces arbres
      • Example (Feminine Plural): ces voitures

Special Phonetic and Orthographic Case: « Cet »

  • The masculine singular demonstrative « ce » undergoes a spelling change to « cet » when the following noun begins with a vowel or a silent (mute) < h >.
  • Before a Vowel:
    • acteur →\rightarrow cet acteur
  • Before a Silent H:
    • homme →\rightarrow cet homme

Pronunciation and Liaison

  • In the plural form « ces », a liaison occurs when the following noun begins with a vowel or a silent H, producing a /z/ sound.
  • Examples from the text:
    • ces arbres (pronounced with a /z/ liaison)
    • ces hommes (pronounced with a /z/ liaison)