How to Use French Possessive Adjectives

What are Possessive Adjectives in French?

In French, possessive adjectives are used to express ownership or a relationship to something or someone. They work similarly to English, but with some key differences. In English, we use words like "my," "your," and "their," whereas French has different forms dependent on the gender and number of the noun they modify.

Forms of French Possessive Adjectives

• Mon, ma, mes (my)
• Ton, ta, tes (your - singular informal)
• Son, sa, ses (his/her/its)
• Notre, nos (our)
• Votre, vos (your - singular formal/plural)
• Leur, leurs (their)

Gender and Number Agreement

Unlike in English, French possessive adjectives must agree both in gender (masculine or feminine) and number (singular or plural) with the noun they modify, not the possessor. For example, "his sister" would be translated as "sa sœur" if the sister is female.

Choosing the Right Form

When selecting the correct form, consider both the gender and number of the noun. For example, for feminine singular nouns beginning with a vowel or silent 'h', 'mon', 'ton', or 'son' are used instead of 'ma', 'ta', 'sa' for ease of pronunciation, e.g., 'mon amie' instead of 'ma amie'.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Examples of Possessive Adjectives in Sentences

Practice Makes Perfect

To master possessive adjectives, practice by using them in various contexts. Try translating sentences from English to French, focusing on ensuring the adjectives agree with the nouns. Consider pairing with a French language partner for additional practice.