Point de départ
In D’accord! Level 1, you learned how possessive
adjectives function in French. You will now learn
about possessive pronouns and how they are
different in French and English.
© 2015 by Vista Higher Learning, Inc. All rights reserved.
7A.2-1
Possessive pronouns are the words which replace nouns
modified by possessive adjectives. In French, the possessive
pronouns have different forms depending on whether the noun
is masculine or feminine, singular or plural. These are the
forms of the French possessive pronouns.
© 2015 by Vista Higher Learning, Inc. All rights reserved.
7A.2-2
© 2015 by Vista Higher Learning, Inc. All rights reserved.
7A.2-3
French and English possessive pronouns are very similar
in usage. They can refer to an object or a person.
However, the French possessive pronouns consist of two
parts: the definite article and the possessive word. Both
parts must agree in number and gender with the noun to
which they refer.
© 2015 by Vista Higher Learning, Inc. All rights reserved.
7A.2-4
Possessive pronouns, like possessive adjectives, reflect
the object or person possessed, not the possessor.
© 2015 by Vista Higher Learning, Inc. All rights reserved.
7A.2-5
The articles le and les of the possessive pronouns
contract with à.
© 2015 by Vista Higher Learning, Inc. All rights reserved.
7A.2-6
The articles le and les of the possessive pronouns
contract also with de.
© 2015 by Vista Higher Learning, Inc. All rights reserved.
7A.2-7
With the indefinite pronoun on, always use the masculine
possessive pronoun le sien/les siens.
© 2015 by Vista Higher Learning, Inc. All rights reserved.
7A.2-8
The possessive pronoun is never used after the verb être
in the construction [noun/pronoun (subject)] + être. In
such a case, use the expression être à + [noun/disjunctive
pronoun].
© 2015 by Vista Higher Learning, Inc. All rights reserved.
7A.2-9
You can however use the possessive pronouns after the
expressions C’est and Ce sont.
© 2015 by Vista Higher Learning, Inc. All rights reserved.
7A.2-10
Essayez!
Écrivez le pronom possessif qui correspond.
Où est la mienne?
1. Où est ma feuille d’examen? _______________
2. Ce sont tes soeurs qui reviennent de Grèce? ______________
3. J’ai revu mon amie d’enfance hier soir! _______________
4. C’est votre lampe qui ne marche plus! _______________
5. Ils viennent d’acheter leur piano. _______________
6. Ce sont nos chansons qui passent à la radio! ______________
7. Ses fauteuils sont toujours en bon état (condition). ___________
8. Quand ton concert a-t-il lieu (takes place)? ______________
© 2015 by Vista Higher Learning, Inc. All rights reserved.
7A.2-11