How are possessive adjectives used in French?

Possessive adjectives in French grammar are used to indicate possession or ownership. They agree in gender and number with the noun they modify. Here's how they are used:

Possessive Adjectives in French:

Singular:

  • Mon (My - masculine singular)
  • Ma (My - feminine singular)
  • Mes (My - plural)
  • Ton (Your - masculine singular)
  • Ta (Your - feminine singular)
  • Tes (Your  - plural)
  • Son (His/Her/Its - masculine singular)
  • Sa (His/Her/Its - feminine singular)
  • Ses (His/Her/Its  - plural)

 

Plural:

  • Notre (Our)
  • Nos (Our)
  • Votre (Your)
  • Vos (Your)
  • Leur (Their)
  • Leurs (Their)

 

 

Before a Noun:

Possessive adjectives are placed directly before the noun they modify.

Example: 

  • Mon livre (My book).
  • Ta maison (Your house).
  • Son chien (His/Her/Its dog).

 

Agreement in Gender and Number:

Possessive adjectives agree in gender and number with the noun they modify.

Example: 

  • Ma voiture (My car, feminine singular).
  • Mes voitures (My cars, feminine plural).

 

Indicating Possession:

Possessive adjectives indicate who owns or possesses the noun.

Example: 

  • Notre maison (Our house).
  • Leur livre (Their book).

 

Preceding a Noun:

Possessive adjectives always come before the noun they modify in French.

Example: 

  • Ma famille (My family).
  • Leurs enfants (Their children).
  • Mes amis - my friends.
  • Ma maison - My house.
  • Mon livre - My book.

 

Possessive adjectives are essential in indicating ownership or possession in French sentences, and their agreement with the gender and number of the nouns they modify is crucial for accurate communication.

Published at 2024/02/24