In French, adjectives must agree with the nouns they modify in both gender (masculine or feminine) and number (singular or plural). This means an adjective can have up to four different forms: masculine singular, feminine singular, masculine plural, and feminine plural.
How Adjectives Change
| Form | Explanation | Example (masc. sing.) | Example Modifications |
|---|---|---|---|
| Masculine Singular | Base form | petit (small) | — |
| Feminine Singular | Usually add -e | petite | grand → grande |
| Masculine Plural | Usually add -s | petits | petit → petits |
| Feminine Plural | Usually add -es | petites | petite → petites |
Example
| Noun Phrase | Translation |
|---|---|
| un petit garçon | a small boy |
| une petite fille | a small girl |
| des petits garçons | small boys |
| des petites filles | small girls |
Irregularities
Some adjectives have irregular forms. Here are a few common patterns:
| Base Masculine Sing. | Feminine Singular | Masculine Plural | Feminine Plural | Meaning |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| heureux | heureuse | heureux | heureuses | happy |
| actif | active | actifs | actives | active |
| sportif | sportive | sportifs | sportives | sporty |
| blanc | blanche | blancs | blanches | white |
Placement of Adjectives
Most adjectives come after the noun.
| French Example | English Example |
|---|---|
| une maison blanche | a white house |
| un garçon intelligent | a smart boy |
Some adjectives come before the noun (usually short, common adjectives):
| French Example | English Example |
|---|---|
| un petit garçon | a small boy |
| une jeune fille | a young girl |
Which group of adjectives typically comes before the noun in French?
Short, common adjectives like "petit" and "jeune".
Some short and common adjectives, such as "petit" and "jeune," usually appear before the noun.
Summary
- Adjectives agree in gender and number with the noun they modify.
- Add -e for feminine singular, -s for masculine plural, and -es for feminine plural.
- Irregular adjectives must be memorized.
- Position depends on the adjective; most come after the noun, but some come before.
In French, adjectives must always match the nouns they describe in both gender and number.
Which of the following is NOT true about French noun-adjective agreement?
All adjectives come before the noun.
In French, most adjectives come after the noun, but some (especially short, common ones) come before.
Flashcards (1 of 4)
- English Example: a white house
Last updated: Wed Jun 18, 2025
