Placement of French adjectives
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Hide- 1.How to place French adjectives
- 2.Exceptional positions for French adjectives
- 2.1.Adjectives, which are always placed in front of nouns
- 2.2.Adjectives that refer to names and expressions
- 2.3.Adjectives that change meaning according to position
- 2.4.Usage of de + Adjective
- 3.Exercises
- 3.1.Quiz about the placement of adjectives in French
- 3.2.Fill in the blank exercise about the placement of adjectives
How to place French adjectives
In the English language we generally place the adjective in front of the noun they refer to (Example: a big house). In comparison to this, the common positions for French adjectives are, in the majority of cases, after the noun.
- une robe bleu (a blue dress)
- une maison carrée (a square house)
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Exceptional positions for French adjectives
1) Adjectives, which are always placed in front of nouns
There are nine common adjectives, which are always preceding the noun they refer to.
- beau (beautiful)
- joli (pretty)
- grand (big)
- gros (large)
- petit (small)
- bon (good)
- mauvais (bad)
- jeune (young)
- vieux (old)
Examples:
- le beau jardin (the beautiful garden)
- les jolies fleurs (the pretty flowers)
- le gros arbre (the large tree)
- le jeune homme (the young man)
2) Adjectives that refer to names and expressions
When it comes to names and expressions make sure to mind that the adjective sometimes can be placed in front of the noun.
Examples:
- la Bass-Normandie (Lower Normandy)
- le libre-service (self service)
- pure laine (pure wool)
3) Adjectives that change meaning according to position
There are some adjectives that have a different meaning depending on whether they precede or follow the noun:
| Adjective | Meaning in front of the noun | Meaning after the noun | Examples |
|---|---|---|---|
| ancien | former | old | un ancien professeur un professeur ancien |
| brave | good | courageous | un brave homme un homme brave |
| certain | certain | unquestionable | un certain risque un risque certain |
| cher | dear | expensive | cher ami un livre cher |
| curieux | strange | curious | une curieuse histoire un homme curieux |
| dernier | the last | last | la dernière semaine la semaine dernière |
| drôle | strange (+de) | funny | une drôle d'histoire une histoire drôle |
| grand (only with homme) | great | tall | un grand homme un homme grand |
| pauvre | poor (unfortunate) | poor (penniless) | un pauvre homme un homme pauvre |
| prochain | the next | next | la prochaine fois la semaine prochaine |
| propre | own | clean | une propre chambre une chambre propre |
| pur | pure | sheer | une pure formalité l'air pur |
| sacré | blasted | holy | un sacré livre un livre sacré |
| sale | bad | dirty | une sale histoire une chambre sale |
| seule | only one | single | la seule fois il est seul |
| simple | simple | plain | une simple chaise un poème simple |
| vrai | real | true | une vraie histoire une histoire vraie |
4) Usage of de + Adjective
When you want to use the words quelque chose, rien, quelqu'un and personne you have to attach the adjective with de.
Examples:
- As-tu entendu quelque chose de nouveau? (Did you hear something new?)
C'est quelqu'un de très riche. (This is someone who is very rich.)
Exercises
- Quiz about the placement of adjectives in French
- Fill in the blank exercise about the placement of adjectives
Quiz about the placement of adjectives in French
Fill in the blank exercise about the placement of adjectives
Exercises
- Quiz about the placement of adjectives in French
- Fill in the blank exercise about the placement of adjectives