French I - Articles - Quick Guides | World Languages

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Study GuideFrench I–Articles1.Definite Articles in FrenchAdefinite articlecorresponds to the English word“the.”It refers to aspecific person, object, oridea.Example:•the boy•the familyIn French, definite articles change depending on thegender(masculine or feminine) andnumber(singular or plural) of the noun.1. Forms of the Definite Article

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Study GuideImportant RuleWhen a word begins with avowel or silent h,leandlabecomel’.Examples:•l’homme(the man)•l’actrice(the actress)Becausel’is used for both genders, thegender of the noun cannot be identified by the articleinthese cases.2. Plural Definite ArticlesAll plural nouns use the same article:lesExamples:•les garçons—the boys•les filles—the girls•les hommes—the menBecause the article is the same, youcannot determine the gender of a plural noun from thearticle alone.3. Uses of the Definite ArticleFrench uses definite articlesmore often than English. They appear in several situations.A. With Nouns in a General or Abstract SenseUsed when talking about somethingin general.Example:•J’adore les chiens.I love dogs.

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Study GuideB. With Names of LanguagesUsed with languagesexcept directly after certain expressionssuch asparler, en, and de.Examples:•Le français est facile.French is easy.•J’adore le français.I love French.But:•Je parle français.I speak French.•C’est en français.It’s in French.•Une classe de françaisa French classC. With Parts of the Body (When the Possessor Is Clear)Example:•Ouvre les yeux.Open your eyes.French usesthe article instead of a possessive adjective.D. With Titles of Rank or ProfessionExample:•Le docteur Jean.Dr. John.

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Study GuideBut whendirectly addressing someone, the article is not used:•Bonjour, docteur Jean.Hello, Dr. John.E. With Days of the Week in a Habitual SenseExample:•Le lundi je travaille.On Mondays, I work.F. With Seasons and ColorsUsed with seasons and colorsexcept after certain prepositions like au or en.Examples:•Tu aimes l’hiver ?Do you like winter?•Il préfère le bleu.He prefers blue.But:•Au printemps il pleut.It rains in spring.•Je peins la maison en blanc.I’m painting the house white.G. With DatesExample:•C’est le dix août.It’s August 10.

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Study GuideH. With Geographical NamesExample:•La France est superbe.France is wonderful.I. With Weights, Measures, and PricesUsed to express“a,” “an,” or “per.”Example:•Il paie six dollars la douzaine.He pays $6 per dozen.J. In Common Time or Place ExpressionsExamples:•le soir—in the evening•la semaine prochaine—next week•à la maison—at homeKey TakeawayFrench definite articles correspond to“the”in English but are usedmore frequently.ArticleUselemasculine singularlafeminine singularl’before vowel or silent hlesplural

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Study GuideThey are commonly used:•withgeneral ideas•withlanguages•withbody parts•withdays of the week•withseasons and colors•withdates•withgeographical names•inexpressions of time and place2.Indefinite Articles in FrenchIndefinite articlesrefer tonon-specific people or things. In English, they correspond to“a,” “an,”or “some.”Examples:•a girl•an apple•some boysIn French, the form of the indefinite article depends on thegender(masculine or feminine) andnumber(singular or plural) of the noun.1. Forms of Indefinite Articles

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Study GuideExamples•un ami—a friend (masculine)•une amie—a friend (feminine)•des amis—friends / some friends•des amies—friends / some friends2. Pronunciation NoteTheeat the end ofuneisnever dropped.It also changes the pronunciation:•un→ nasal sound•une→ clearly pronounced“oon”3. When the Indefinite Article Is OmittedSometimes Frenchdoes not use an indefinite article, even though English might.

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Study GuideA. After être ordevenir with ProfessionsWhenêtre(to be) ordevenir(to become) is followed by aprofession, the article is usually omitted.Examples:•Anne est docteur.Anne is a doctor.•Luc devient avocat.Luc is becoming a lawyer.ExceptionsThe articleis used:Afterc’est•C’est une actrice.She’s an actress.•C’est un dentiste.He’s a dentist.When the profession ismodified by an adjective•M. Leconte est un patron populaire.Mr. Leconte is a popular boss.B. After Exclamatory quelAfterquel, quelle, quels, quelles, the article is not used.Examples:•Quel garçon curieux !What a curious boy!•Quelles maisons luxueuses !What luxurious houses!

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