JM

Demonstrative Pronouns

  • The demonstrative pronoun celui and its forms mean this one/that one/the one/these/those/the ones

    • Use for pointing something out or indicating a preference

  • Celui- masculine singular (this one, that one, the one)

  • Celle- feminine singular (this one, that one, the one)

  • Ceux- masculine plural (these, those, the ones)

  • Celles- feminine plural (these, those, the ones)

  • -ci and -là can be added after a form of celui to distinguish between people or objects that are closer (celle-ci) or farther (celui-là)

  • A form of celui can also be followed by a relative clause to mean the one(s) that or the one(s) whose

    • Le comptable de Marc, c’est celui que tu aimes bien?

  • A prepositional phrase can also follow a demonstrative pronoun

    • Ce poste est moins interessant que celui en Belgique

  • Adjectives that modify forms of celui must agree in gender and number

    • Ceux qui sont fainéants ne vont pas être promus.

  • You can use celui-là/celle-là to refer to someone in a familiar or scornful manner

    • Elle croit qu’elle sait tout, celle-là?

  • Ceci & cela are also demonstrative pronouns. Unlike other pronouns, they do not refer to any noun in particular, but rather an idea. Ceci=about to be said, cela=already been said

    • Je vous dis ceci: il ne faut pas démissionner.

  • Ceci & cela have a literary tone to them. In everyday French, use ce or ça