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