Les Pronoms Démonstratifs (demonstrative pronouns)
Notes
- In a past lesson, we learned about Les Adjectifs Démonstratifs (demonstrative adjectives), which were used to say "this, that, these, and those" (ce, cet, cette, ces). Now we will learn about Les Pronoms Démonstratifs (demonstrative pronouns), which are used to say "the one(s)" (celui, celle, ceux, celles).
- While demonstrative adjectives were describing the object by pointing out which noun (dog, cat, etc.) you were talking about, demonstrative pronouns will completely replace the noun to which it is referring.
Ex: Demonstrative adjective
Elle aime cette chemise. > She likes this shirt.
Ex: Demonstrative pronoun
Celle qu'elle aime est bleue. > The one (feminine, shirt) that she likes is blue. - You can see that the demonstrative pronoun must agree with the gender and number of the noun being replaced. You can see the different demonstrative pronouns in the chart below.
- Celui and celle both translate to "the one," while ceux and celles both translate to "the ones."
- Here are some examples of these demonstrative pronouns in action:
Quel magasin est-ce que tu préfères? > Which store do you prefer?
J'aime celui qui a les vêtements bon marché. > I like the one that has well-priced clothing.
Ce magasin a beaucoup de robes. > This store has a lot of dresses.
Celles-ci sont plus chères que celles-là! > These are more expensive than those. - Just like with demonstrative adjectives, your meaning with demonstrative pronouns can be clarified by adding -ci or -là after the pronoun.
Adding -ci = these
Adding -là = those
Ex: Est-ce que tu veux ces livres-ci? > Do you like these books here?
Non, je veux ceux-là. > No, I like those. - RAPPELEZ: You must ALWAYS have -ci, -là or one of the clause words qui or que after your demonstrative adjective or it doesn't make sense!
Ex: Est-ce que vous aimez ces fleurs?
Non, je préfère celles qui sont plus grandes. - You can also use demonstrative adjectives to indicate possession.
Elle aime les chausettes de Gap. > She likes Gap's socks.
Oui, mais j'aime celles de H&M. > Yes, but I prefer H&M's (socks).
Lisez-vous les livres de Prouste? > Do you read the Proust's books?
Non, je préfère lire ceux de Molière. > No, I prefer Molière's (books). - If you want to talk about something that has no given gender, like an idea or a statement, you can use one of the neutral demonstrative pronouns.
Ceci = this
Cela = that
Tu es amoureux, non? Ceci est évident. > You are in love, no? This is clear.
- Cela can also be replaced by ça in colloquial speech, and when it comes before a verb that begins with a vowel it turns into c'
C'est important à faire les devoirs! > It is important to do homework! - You can learn a little more about these indefinite demonstrative pronouns at this site.
Activities
Self-Correcting Activity
Directions
Materials: internet access
Directions
- Read the notes at the top of the page for a review of demonstrative adjectives.
- Complete the practice activity at the bottom of the page.
Materials: internet access
Additional Sites
About.French
An in-depth explanation with many examples.
Learn French
An explanation followed by a drop-down practice activity.
Tex's French Grammar
An explanation followed by a self-checking fill-in-the-blank activity.
An in-depth explanation with many examples.
Learn French
An explanation followed by a drop-down practice activity.
Tex's French Grammar
An explanation followed by a self-checking fill-in-the-blank activity.
Videos
Video created by Learn French with Pascal.