A1 · Beginner Chapter 2

Specifying and Pointing Out

5 Total Rules
50 examples
6 min
Rules in This Chapter Quick Practice

Chapter in 30 Seconds

Master the art of describing and identifying everything in your French world with precision.

  • Place adjectives correctly using the BAGS rule.
  • Apply possessive adjectives to express ownership clearly.
  • Identify objects using specific demonstrative adjectives.
Point, possess, and describe like a true Parisian.

What You'll Learn

Hey there! Ready to level up your French and start describing the world around you like a true native? In this chapter, we're diving into some super cool tricks that will make your conversations sound much more natural and precise. We'll kick things off with adjectives. You’ll learn how to place those special adjectives of Beauty, Age, Goodness, and Size (remember BAGS!) *before* the noun. This isn't just a rule; it's how you make your French flow, turning a beautiful car into something that sounds much more authentically French. Don't worry, it's easier than it sounds! Next, we'll tackle some slightly irregular but very important adjectives like beau (beautiful), nouveau (new), and vieux (old). You'll discover how they playfully change their form when the word following them starts with a vowel. This little tweak helps your French sound incredibly smooth and natural – you'll be speaking like a pro in no time! Then comes the really exciting part: my, your, and his/her! You'll master how to talk about your possessions, your friends, or anything that belongs to someone. The cool thing is, these possessive words agree with the *gender and number of the noun they describe*, not the owner. So, whether you're a guy or a girl, your book is mon livre (masculine book). We'll even expand this to our, your (plural), and their. Finally, imagine you’re in a bustling Parisian market and want to point out this lovely scarf or that delicious pastry. We'll teach you how to use this and that accurately, matching them to the gender, number, and even the starting letter of the noun you're pointing to. By the end of this chapter, you won't just be learning grammar; you'll be actively describing and identifying things in French with confidence. You'll be able to say my phone, this amazing view, or your old car with ease. These are incredibly practical skills that will help you feel like you're truly speaking French. Ready to take this big step? Let's go!

Learning Objectives

By the end of this chapter, you will be able to:

  1. 1
    By the end you will be able to: Use BAGS adjectives to describe size and age.
  2. 2
    By the end you will be able to: Correctly use possessive adjectives to talk about family and items.
  3. 3
    By the end you will be able to: Point out specific objects using demonstratives.

Chapter Guide

Overview

Hey there, language explorer! Welcome to this exciting chapter on A1 French grammar, where we unlock the secrets to describing and pointing out things in French like a true native. Mastering these concepts is fundamental for any beginner and will significantly boost your confidence in everyday conversations. This guide will walk you through essential rules that govern how adjectives work, how to talk about possessions, and how to effectively point to objects around you. Forget sounding like a textbook; we're aiming for natural, flowing French!
In this chapter, you'll learn about special French adjectives that precede the noun, following the memorable "BAGS" rule. We'll also tackle some quirky irregular adjectives like beau (beautiful), nouveau (new), and vieux (old) that change form based on the following word. Understanding these nuances is crucial for accurate and elegant expression.
Beyond describing, we'll dive into possessive adjectives French, covering "my," "your," and "his/her" (mon, ma, mes) and extending to "our," "your (plural)," and "their." Finally, you'll master demonstrative adjectives French – the "this" and "that" words (ce, cet, cette, ces) – allowing you to confidently identify and distinguish items. By the end, you'll have practical tools to make your French grammar A1 journey much smoother, turning simple words into rich, descriptive phrases.

How This Grammar Works

Let's break down the core grammar rules that will help you specify and point out with precision. First up, French Adjectives: The BAGS Rule (Before the Noun). While most adjectives in French come *after* the noun, a select group of common adjectives related to Beauty, Age, Goodness, and Size (BAGS) actually go *before* the noun. For example, instead of saying *une voiture belle* (a car beautiful), you say une belle voiture (a beautiful car). Other examples include un petit chien (a small dog), un jeune homme (a young man), une bonne idée (a good idea).
Next, we have Irregular French Adjectives: Beau, Nouveau, Vieux. These adjectives are a bit special. While beau (beautiful), nouveau (new), and vieux (old) are the standard masculine singular forms, they change to bel, nouvel, and vieil respectively when the masculine noun they modify starts with a vowel or a silent 'h'. For instance, you say un beau jardin (a beautiful garden) but un bel arbre (a beautiful tree). Similarly, un nouveau livre (a new book) but un nouvel appartement (a new apartment), and un vieux monsieur (an old gentleman) but un vieil ami (an old friend).
Then, we tackle My, Your, His/Her in French (mon, ma, mes). These possessive adjectives agree in gender and number with the *noun* they describe, not the owner. So, if you're a man or a woman, for a masculine noun like *livre* (book), you say mon livre (my book). For a feminine noun like *voiture* (car), it's ma voiture (my car). For plural nouns, it's always mes regardless of gender: mes amis (my friends). The same logic applies to "your" (ton, ta, tes) and "his/her/its" (son, sa, ses). Remember, if a feminine noun starts with a vowel or silent 'h', you use the masculine possessive mon, ton, or son for pronunciation ease: mon amie (my friend, feminine).
Moving on to Group Possessives: Our, Your, Their (notre, votre, leur). These work similarly but have fewer forms. Notre (our) is used for both masculine and feminine singular nouns (notre maison - our house, notre jardin - our garden). Nos is used for all plural nouns (nos amis - our friends). The same pattern applies to votre/vos (your, plural/formal) and leur/leurs (their).
Finally, French Pointers: This & That (ce, cet, cette, ces). These demonstrative adjectives also agree with the noun. Ce is for masculine singular nouns (ce garçon - this boy). Cet is for masculine singular nouns starting with a vowel or silent 'h' (cet homme - this man). Cette is for feminine singular nouns (cette fille - this girl). And ces is for all plural nouns, regardless of gender (ces livres - these books, ces voitures - these cars). These are essential A1 French words for pointing things out!

Common Mistakes

  1. 1✗ Wrong: "J'ai une voiture belle."
✓ Correct: "J'ai une belle voiture."
*Explanation:* Adjectives that follow the BAGS rule (Beauty, Age, Goodness, Size) like "belle" (beautiful) must be placed *before* the noun in French.
  1. 1✗ Wrong: "C'est ma livre."
✓ Correct: "C'est mon livre."
*Explanation:* Possessive adjectives like "my" (mon, ma, mes) agree with the *gender* and *number* of the noun they describe, not the owner. "Livre" (book) is masculine, so you must use "mon."
  1. 1✗ Wrong: "Je vois ce arbre."
✓ Correct: "Je vois cet arbre."
*Explanation:* For masculine singular nouns that start with a vowel or a silent 'h', the demonstrative adjective "ce" changes to "cet" for easier pronunciation. "Arbre" (tree) starts with a vowel.

Real Conversations

A

A

Tu as un nouveau téléphone? (Do you have a new phone?)
B

B

Oui, c'est mon cadeau d'anniversaire. (Yes, it's my birthday present.)
A

A

Regarde ce vieil homme et son chien! (Look at that old man and his dog!)
B

B

Oh, cette petite chienne est adorable! (Oh, that small female dog is adorable!)
A

A

Où est notre voiture? (Where is our car?)
B

B

Elle est devant ce grand bâtiment. (It's in front of that big building.)

Quick FAQ

Q

Why do some French adjectives go before the noun while most go after?

A small group of common adjectives, primarily those related to Beauty, Age, Goodness, and Size (BAGS), are typically placed *before* the noun to create a more natural flow and emphasis in French.

Q

How do I choose between "mon," "ma," and "mes" when saying "my" in French?

You choose based on the gender and number of the *noun* you're describing, not your own gender. Use mon for masculine singular nouns, ma for feminine singular nouns, and mes for plural nouns (of either gender). If a feminine noun starts with a vowel or silent 'h', use mon for pronunciation.

Q

What's the difference between "ce" and "cet" for "this/that" in French?

Both mean "this" or "that" for masculine singular nouns. You use ce before masculine singular nouns starting with a consonant, and cet before masculine singular nouns starting with a vowel or a silent 'h'.

Q

Do "notre" and "votre" (our/your) change for feminine nouns?

No, notre and votre are used for both masculine and feminine singular nouns. They only change to nos and vos respectively when the noun they describe is plural.

Cultural Context

In French, the precision and elegance of language are highly valued, and mastering these adjective rules is a key step towards sounding authentic. Native speakers intuitively apply these rules, making their descriptions vivid and unambiguous. The subtle shifts in adjective placement or form, like using "bel" instead of "beau" or "cet" instead of "ce," are not just grammatical quirks; they are integral to the language's rhythm and phonetic beauty, ensuring smooth pronunciation and clarity. Adhering to these patterns will make your French not just correct, but truly sound like French.

Key Examples (8)

1

C'est une belle journée pour aller au parc.

It's a beautiful day to go to the park.

French Adjectives: The BAGS Rule (Before the Noun)
2

J'ai un nouveau téléphone depuis hier.

I have a new phone since yesterday.

French Adjectives: The BAGS Rule (Before the Noun)
3

C'est un **bel** appartement !

It's a beautiful apartment!

Irregular French Adjectives: Beau, Nouveau, Vieux
4

J'ai un **nouvel** iPhone.

I have a new iPhone.

Irregular French Adjectives: Beau, Nouveau, Vieux
5

C'est `mon` café.

It is my coffee.

My, Your, His/Her in French (mon, ma, mes)
6

J'aime `ta` nouvelle photo sur Instagram !

I love your new photo on Instagram!

My, Your, His/Her in French (mon, ma, mes)
7

C'est notre chanson préférée !

It's our favorite song!

Group Possessives: Our, Your, Their (notre, votre, leur)
8

Voici vos cafés, monsieur.

Here are your coffees, sir.

Group Possessives: Our, Your, Their (notre, votre, leur)

Tips & Tricks (4)

💡

Check the BAGS

Before placing an adjective, ask: Is it Beauty, Age, Goodness, or Size? If yes, put it before.
frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: French Adjectives: The BAGS Rule (Before the Noun)
💡

The Vowel Check

Always check the first letter of the noun after the adjective.
frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: Irregular French Adjectives: Beau, Nouveau, Vieux
💡

Check the Noun

Always look at the word AFTER the possessive adjective to decide which one to use.
frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: My, Your, His/Her in French (mon, ma, mes)
💡

Check the Noun

Always look at the word AFTER the possessive.
frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: Group Possessives: Our, Your, Their (notre, votre, leur)

Key Vocabulary (6)

beau beautiful vieux old livre book maison house ami friend voiture car

Real-World Preview

shopping-cart

At the Market

Review Summary

  • BAGS Adjective + Noun
  • ce/cet/cette/ces + Noun

Common Mistakes

Possessives agree with the noun, not the owner. Since maison is feminine, use ma.

Wrong: mon maison
Correct: ma maison

Use 'bel' before a masculine noun starting with a vowel to keep the sound smooth.

Wrong: un beau ami
Correct: un bel ami

Table is feminine, so it requires 'cette'.

Wrong: ce table
Correct: cette table

Next Steps

You've made incredible progress. Keep practicing these patterns, and soon they will be second nature!

Label items in your house using sticky notes with the correct French demonstrative.

Continue to: Adding Detail and Comparing

Quick Practice (10)

Apply the vowel rule.

C'est ___ (my) amie.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: mon
Vowel rule.

frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: My, Your, His/Her in French (mon, ma, mes)

Choose the correct form.

___ efforts sont grands.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: Leurs
Efforts is plural.

frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: Group Possessives: Our, Your, Their (notre, votre, leur)

Correct the sentence.

Find and fix the mistake:

Un nouveau ami.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: Un nouvel ami
Vowel rule.

frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: Irregular French Adjectives: Beau, Nouveau, Vieux

Fill in the blank.

C'est ___ idée.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: votre
Idée is singular.

frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: Group Possessives: Our, Your, Their (notre, votre, leur)

Find the mistake.

Find and fix the mistake:

Ce école est grande.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: Ce
Should be 'cette' because école is feminine.

frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: French Pointers: This & That (ce, cet, cette, ces)

Fill in the blank.

C'est un ___ homme.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: bel
Vowel/H rule.

frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: Irregular French Adjectives: Beau, Nouveau, Vieux

Choose the correct form.

Ce sont ___ amis.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: nos
Amis is plural.

frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: Group Possessives: Our, Your, Their (notre, votre, leur)

Choose the correct form.

___ voiture.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: Belle
Feminine agreement.

frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: Irregular French Adjectives: Beau, Nouveau, Vieux

Fill in the blank with the correct demonstrative.

___ livre est intéressant.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: ce
Livre is masculine singular.

frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: French Pointers: This & That (ce, cet, cette, ces)

Which is correct?

___ idée est géniale.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: cette
Idée is feminine.

frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: French Pointers: This & That (ce, cet, cette, ces)

Score: /10

Common Questions (6)

It's a mnemonic for Beauty, Age, Goodness, and Size.
No, only the BAGS group goes before.
To avoid vowel clashes and make speech smoother.
No, always 'belle'.
Because of the vowel rule! It prevents the awkward sound of 'ma amie'.
It means both! You have to guess from context.
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The Basics of Description
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Adding Detail and Comparing
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