|
Theory
an adjective agrees in gender and number with the word it is wedded to
1) number
the majority of adjectives in French form their plural adding an “S”
long ➔ longs
longues ➔ longues
irregularities
ending | singular | plural |
-s = ∅ | gris | gris |
-x = ∅ | précieux | précieux |
-eau = eaux | beau | beaux |
-al = aux * | abyssal | abyssaux |
* banal/banals, fatal/fatals … | ||
2) position
in general, the adjective will sit after the noun it is wedded to
a luminous antenna ➔ une antenne lumineuse
exception 1
when the adjective has something to do with age, size, goodness or beauty, it rests in front of the noun
age : the old robot ➔ le vieux robot
size : the big automaton ➔ le grand automate
goodness : the kind droid ➔ le gentil droïde
beauty : the pretty drone ➔ le joli drône
exception 2
in French, link consecutive adjectives with “et”
a luminous jet pack
➔ un réacteur dorsal lumineux
a luminous, blinking jet pack
➔ un réacteur dorsal lumineux et clignotant
a luminous, blinking, buzzing jet pack
➔ un réacteur dorsal lumineux, clignotant et bourdonnant
exception 3
some adjectives can be placed in front or after the noun but then change meaning
➔ mon robot propre ≠ mon propre robot
my clean robot my own robot
➔ un projet simple ≠ un simple projet
a simple project just a project
Exercises
Résultats
#1. futuristic nanotechnologies
#2. awesome computers ! are they new ?
#3. the engineer repaired the old circuits
#4. jellyfish-powered lamp-posts
#5. i just saw short, energetic, sophisticated mammoths
#6. it’s just a question, Xen, not a threat
#7. this marvellous Barbie glows in the dark
Résultats
#1. futuristic nanotechnologies
#2. awesome computers ! are they new ?
#3. the engineer repaired the old circuits
#4. jellyfish-powered lamp-posts
#5. i just saw short, energetic, sophisticated mammoths
#6. it’s just a question, Xen, not a threat
#7. this marvellous Barbie glows in the dark
Comments