B2 Adjectives & Adverbs 12 min read Easy

French Indefinites: Some, Several, A Few (`certains`, `plusieurs`, `quelques`)

Use these words to express vague quantities while correctly matching gender for certain/quelques-uns and keeping plusieurs invariable.
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Grammar Rule in 30 Seconds

Use 'quelques' for a small number, 'plusieurs' for an indefinite number, and 'certains' to specify a subset of a group.

  • Quelques is always plural and means 'a few' or 'some'. Example: 'J'ai quelques idées.'
  • Plusieurs means 'several' and is invariable. Example: 'Il a plusieurs amis.'
  • Certains must agree in gender and number with the noun. Example: 'Certains jours, je dors.'
Determiner (Quelques/Plusieurs/Certains) + Noun (Plural)

Overview

At the B2 level, your command of French expands from simply stating facts to expressing nuanced perspectives. The indefinite adjectives and pronouns certains, plusieurs, and quelques are essential tools in this transition. They allow you to quantify nouns without resorting to precise numbers, adding a layer of sophistication to your speech and writing.

While they all translate broadly to 'some' or 'several', they are not interchangeable. Each carries a distinct connotation regarding quantity, selection, and emphasis.

Think of them as answers to the questions "how many?" or "which ones?" when the exact number is either unknown, irrelevant, or intentionally left vague. Quelques indicates a small, limited quantity ('a few'). Plusieurs denotes a more substantial, yet still undefined, number ('several').

Certains is the most specific of the three; it doesn't just quantify—it selects a particular subgroup from a larger whole to comment upon ('some' or 'certain ones').

A critical concept to master is their dual function. They can act as indefinite adjectives, which modify a noun directly (plusieurs amis), or as indefinite pronouns, which stand alone and replace a noun entirely (plusieurs d'entre eux or j'en connais plusieurs). Understanding this distinction, particularly how the pronoun forms interact with de and en, is fundamental to using them correctly and a key indicator of advanced proficiency.

This guide will deconstruct their forms, functions, and subtle differences, providing the framework to use them with precision.

How This Grammar Works

The grammatical mechanism behind these words revolves around two core functions: direct modification (as an adjective) and nominal replacement (as a pronoun). The choice between these functions depends entirely on whether the noun is present in the clause.
As adjectives, these words are straightforward. They are placed directly before the noun they describe, and since they inherently refer to more than one item, they are always followed by a plural noun. In this role, they behave like other pre-nominal adjectives, such as grands or jeunes.
  • J'ai invité quelques amis à dîner. (I invited a few friends to dinner.)
  • Plusieurs entreprises recrutent des ingénieurs. (Several companies are recruiting engineers.)
  • Certaines chansons me rappellent mon enfance. (Certain songs remind me of my childhood.)
As pronouns, their behavior is more complex. They are used to avoid repeating a noun that has already been mentioned or is clear from context. This is where the crucial relationship with the preposition de (of) and the adverbial pronoun en (of it/of them) comes into play.
The pronoun form conceptually represents a part of a whole: 'some of them', 'several of the books'.
This concept manifests in two primary structures:
  1. 1Selection from a specific, named group: When you are taking a subset from a group you immediately define, you use the structure Pronoun + de + Noun/Pronoun. A common and natural-sounding variation for groups of people is d'entre + [Stressed Pronoun].
  • Certains de mes collègues parlent espagnol. (Some of my colleagues speak Spanish.)
  • Elle a lu quelques-uns de ces livres. (She read a few of these books.)
  • Plusieurs d'entre nous n'étions pas d'accord. (Several of us did not agree.)
  1. 1Reference to an implied group: When the noun is not repeated but is understood from prior context, the pronoun en is used. En absorbs the de + noun part of the phrase and is placed before the verb. This is a non-negotiable rule in standard French.
  • — Tu as des exemples ? — Oui, j'en ai plusieurs. (Here, en replaces d'exemples.)
  • — Elle a aimé les propositions ? — Elle en a accepté quelques-unes. (en = des propositions)
Finally, gender and number agreement are critical. Plusieurs is famously invariable—it never changes, regardless of the noun's gender. However, certains and quelques-uns have distinct masculine and feminine forms which must match the noun they modify or replace.

Formation Pattern

1
To use these indefinites correctly, you must distinguish between their adjective and pronoun forms and apply the correct agreement rules. The pronoun form of quelques is unique in that it requires a suffix.
2
Adjective and Pronoun Forms
3
| Concept | Adjective Form (modifies a noun) | Pronoun Form (replaces a noun) | Gender Agreement | Example (Pronoun) |
4
|---|---|---|---|---|
5
| a few | quelques | quelques-uns / quelques-unes | Masculine / Feminine | J'en ai vu quelques-uns. |
6
| several | plusieurs | plusieurs | Invariable | J'en ai vu plusieurs. |
7
| some / certain | certains / certaines | certains / certaines | Masculine / Feminine | J'en ai vu certains. |
8
Pattern 1: The Adjective
9
The formula is simple: Indefinite Adjective + Plural Noun.
10
Masculine: quelques jours, plusieurs mois, certains aspects.
11
Feminine: quelques semaines, plusieurs années, certaines raisons.
12
Note that plusieurs remains unchanged for the feminine années and raisons. This is a frequent point of error for learners.
13
Pattern 2: The Pronoun
14
There are two sub-patterns for the pronoun usage.
15
A) Pronoun with a specified group: Pronoun + de / d'entre + Group
16
Quelques-unes de ses amies (A few of her friends)
17
Plusieurs d'entre vous (Several of you)
18
Certains de ces documents (Certain of these documents)
19
B) Pronoun with an implied group: Sujet + en + Verbe + Pronoun
20
This structure is essential for fluent, natural-sounding French.
21
Des idées ? J'en ai quelques-unes. (Ideas? I have a few of them.)
22
Les raisons de son départ ? Il y en a plusieurs. (The reasons for his departure? There are several of them.)
23
Parmi tous ces tableaux, j'en préfère certains. (Among all these paintings, I prefer certain ones.)
24
A Special Case: Certain in the Singular
25
Be careful not to confuse plural certains (some) with singular un certain / une certaine. In the singular, it means 'a particular' or 'a type of', often implying that the speaker either doesn't know the specific identity or doesn't wish to state it.
26
Il y avait un certain malaise dans la salle. (There was a certain uneasiness in the room.)
27
Elle a fait preuve d'une certaine intelligence. (She showed a certain intelligence.)
28
Furthermore, when placed after the noun, certain(e) means 'sure', 'definite', or 'reliable'.
29
C'est une nouvelle certaine. (It is sure news.)

When To Use It

Beyond the grammatical structure, the choice between quelques, plusieurs, and certains hinges on semantic nuance and the speaker's intention.
Use quelques for a small, limited quantity.
Quelques implies 'a few', suggesting a small number that is easily countable, though not specified. It's often used factually without much emotional weight. Think of it as indicating a quantity greater than one or two, but not large enough to be significant.
  • Je serai en retard de quelques minutes. (I will be a few minutes late.) — A small, manageable delay.
  • Il nous reste quelques bouteilles de vin. (We have a few bottles of wine left.) — A limited, dwindling supply.
Use plusieurs for a more significant, indeterminate number.
Plusieurs means 'several' and indicates a number larger than quelques. It implies a multiplicity or variety of items. The exact number is unimportant, but the sense of 'more than a handful' is clear. It gives weight to the quantity without being as strong as beaucoup.
  • Elle a remporté plusieurs prix pour son roman. (She has won several awards for her novel.) — Emphasizes a level of success.
  • Nous avons examiné plusieurs options avant de décider. (We examined several options before deciding.) — Suggests a thorough process.
Use certains to select and comment on a subset.
Certains is the most sophisticated of the three. Its primary function is not just to quantify but to isolate a part of a larger group. It inherently creates a contrast, either explicit or implied, between the members of the selected subgroup and the rest of the group.
It is the perfect tool for making nuanced observations, expressing mixed feelings, or opening a debate.
  • Certains étudiants trouvent cet examen difficile, tandis que d'autres le réussissent sans problème. (Certain students find this exam difficult, while others pass it without a problem.) — An explicit contrast.
  • J'aime bien cette ville, mais certains quartiers sont assez bruyants. (I like this city, but certain neighborhoods are quite noisy.) — An implied contrast between the mentioned noisy neighborhoods and the unmentioned pleasant ones.
Summary of Nuance
| Word | Implied Quantity | Primary Function | Common Use Case |
|---|---|---|---|
| quelques | Small (approx. 2-5) | Simple, factual quantification | Stating a small, finite number of items. |
| plusieurs | Medium (more than quelques) | Emphasizing plurality and variety | Describing a collection of experiences, items, or repeated events. |
| certains | Any (can be small or large) | Selective emphasis and contrast | Voicing opinions, analyzing a group, making a specific point. |

Common Mistakes

Navigating these indefinites can lead to common pitfalls, even for intermediate learners. Awareness of these traps is the first step to avoiding them.
  1. 1Using quelques as a Pronoun. This is perhaps the most frequent error. A learner might say *J'en veux quelques. This is incorrect. Quelques can only be an adjective. To function as a pronoun, it must take the suffix -uns or -unes.
  • Incorrect: Parmi ses poèmes, j'en aime quelques.
  • Correct: Parmi ses poèmes, j'en aime quelques-uns.
  1. 1Making plusieurs Agree in Gender. The invariable nature of plusieurs is a rule you must commit to memory. The form *plusieures does not exist in French.
  • Incorrect: J'ai plusieures amies qui habitent à Lyon.
  • Correct: J'ai plusieurs amies qui habitent à Lyon.
  1. 1Confusing certains with des. Des is a simple partitive article meaning 'some' in a general sense. Certains is selective and specific. Using des simply states the existence of something, while certains sets the stage to comment on a specific portion of it.
  • J'ai des amis. (I have friends. - General statement of fact.)
  • J'ai certains amis qui sont... (I have some specific friends who are...) - You are singling out a group to describe them.
  1. 1Omitting en with Pronouns in Implied Contexts. English allows 'I have several', but French requires a placeholder for the object. When the noun isn't repeated, en is mandatory before the verb.
  • Incorrect: — Tu as des frères et sœurs ? — Oui, j'ai plusieurs.
  • Correct: — Tu as des frères et sœurs ? — Oui, j'en ai plusieurs.
  1. 1Confusing d'autres and certains. While certains... d'autres... ('some... others...') is a very common structure, learners sometimes misuse d'autres alone. Certains introduces the first group; d'autres introduces the contrasting one.
  • Certains sont arrivés à l'heure, d'autres étaient en retard. (Some arrived on time, others were late.)

Real Conversations

Textbook examples are useful, but seeing these words in authentic contexts reveals their true utility.

Professional Email

> Objet: Suivi de la réunion projet Alpha

>

> Bonjour l'équipe,

>

> Merci pour votre participation. Plusieurs points importants ont été soulevés. Cependant, certains aspects du budget nécessitent une discussion plus approfondie. J'ai joint un document avec quelques questions initiales. Pourriez-vous y jeter un œil ?

>

> Cordialement,

> Marc

A

Analysis

Plusieurs shows a significant number of points were discussed. Certains isolates the budget as a specific area of concern. Quelques indicates a short, manageable list of questions.*

Casual Texting

> — Salut, t'es dispo ce soir ?

> — Désolé, je peux pas. J'ai quelques trucs à finir pour demain.

> — Ah dommage. On m'a dit que plusieurs personnes de la promo y vont.

> — Oui je sais, certains m'ont envoyé un message mais je suis vraiment trop juste niveau temps.

A

Analysis

quelques trucs minimizes the workload but justifies being busy. plusieurs personnes creates a sense of a larger group gathering. certains m'ont envoyé un message specifies a subset of that group who made direct contact.*

Spoken Opinion

> — Alors, tu as aimé la série ?

> — Franchement, c'est mitigé. Quelques épisodes étaient géniaux, vraiment. Mais j'en ai trouvé plusieurs un peu longs et certains dialogues étaient mal écrits. C'est dommage.

A

Analysis

The speaker breaks down their opinion with precision. Quelques for the small number of great episodes. Plusieurs for the larger group of long ones. Certains to single out the dialogues for specific criticism.*

Quick FAQ

Q: What's the real difference between quelques-uns and certains? They both feel like 'some'.

The core difference is intent. Quelques-uns primarily communicates a small quantity. Certains communicates selection and specificity, regardless of quantity. If you say J'en ai lu quelques-uns, you're saying 'I read a few of them'. If you say J'en ai lu certains, you're implying 'I read specific ones (and perhaps I have an opinion about them, or they are different from others)'.

Q: Can I use plusieurs for a very large number, like hundreds?

It's not ideal. Plusieurs implies a number that is plural and substantial, but not vast. For hundreds or thousands, it's more natural to use de nombreux/de nombreuses or beaucoup de. Using plusieurs for a huge number can sound like an understatement.

Q: Why isn't there a pronoun *plusieurs-uns?

Simply because plusieurs is versatile enough to be both an adjective and a pronoun without changing its form. The suffix -uns/-unes is a specific mechanism required only by quelques to enable it to function as a pronoun.

Q: In a mixed-gender group, do I use quelques-uns or quelques-unes?

French grammatical convention dictates that the masculine form prevails. You must use quelques-uns if there is at least one masculine element in the group. Quelques-unes is reserved exclusively for groups that are 100% feminine.

Q: Is it ever okay to drop the en with these pronouns?

In formal and standard written and spoken French, no. The omission of en (e.g., J'ai plusieurs instead of J'en ai plusieurs) is a characteristic of informal, relaxed spoken French. While you may hear it, you should master the correct en structure for B2-level communication.

Q: What about the word maint(e)s?

Maint(e)s is a literary and very formal synonym for plusieurs. You might encounter it in classic literature or historical texts (e.g., à maintes reprises for 'on several occasions'). In any modern context—conversation, email, news—you should use plusieurs. Using maintes today would sound archaic and unnatural.

Agreement Patterns

Word Meaning Gender Number Invariable
Quelques
A few
N/A
Plural
Yes
Plusieurs
Several
N/A
Plural
Yes
Certains
Some
Masc
Plural
No
Certaines
Some
Fem
Plural
No

Meanings

These words function as indefinite adjectives or pronouns to express vague quantities or subsets of a larger group.

1

Small quantity

Refers to a limited but unspecified number.

“J'ai quelques questions.”

“Il y a quelques erreurs dans ce texte.”

2

Indefinite number

Refers to more than two but not many.

“Plusieurs solutions existent.”

“J'ai lu plusieurs livres cette année.”

3

Subset selection

Refers to specific items within a larger set.

“Certains jours sont difficiles.”

“Certaines personnes préfèrent le thé.”

Reference Table

Reference table for French Indefinites: Some, Several, A Few (`certains`, `plusieurs`, `quelques`)
Form Structure Example
Quelques
Quelques + Noun (pl)
J'ai quelques idées.
Plusieurs
Plusieurs + Noun (pl)
Il a plusieurs amis.
Certains
Certains + Noun (pl)
Certains jours sont longs.
Certaines
Certaines + Noun (pl)
Certaines fleurs sont rares.
Negative
Ne... pas + Quantifier
Je n'ai pas quelques amis.
Question
Quantifier + Noun?
As-tu quelques minutes?

Formality Spectrum

Formal
Je dispose de quelques idées.

Je dispose de quelques idées. (Brainstorming)

Neutral
J'ai quelques idées.

J'ai quelques idées. (Brainstorming)

Informal
J'ai quelques idées, quoi.

J'ai quelques idées, quoi. (Brainstorming)

Slang
J'ai deux-trois idées.

J'ai deux-trois idées. (Brainstorming)

Quantifier Map

Quantifiers

Small

  • Quelques A few

Indefinite

  • Plusieurs Several

Subset

  • Certains Some
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Examples by Level

1

J'ai quelques amis.

I have a few friends.

2

Il a plusieurs chats.

He has several cats.

3

Certains jours sont bons.

Some days are good.

4

J'ai quelques pommes.

I have a few apples.

1

Elle a plusieurs idées pour le projet.

She has several ideas for the project.

2

Quelques étudiants sont absents.

A few students are absent.

3

Certaines personnes aiment le froid.

Some people like the cold.

4

J'ai plusieurs rendez-vous aujourd'hui.

I have several appointments today.

1

Il a fallu plusieurs heures pour finir.

It took several hours to finish.

2

Certains pensent que c'est une erreur.

Some think it is a mistake.

3

J'ai quelques doutes sur cette décision.

I have a few doubts about this decision.

4

Certaines options sont plus chères.

Some options are more expensive.

1

Plusieurs facteurs expliquent ce phénomène.

Several factors explain this phenomenon.

2

Certains experts recommandent la prudence.

Some experts recommend caution.

3

Il reste quelques détails à régler.

A few details remain to be settled.

4

Certaines théories sont obsolètes.

Some theories are obsolete.

1

Plusieurs voix se sont élevées contre la mesure.

Several voices were raised against the measure.

2

Certaines nuances échappent à l'analyse.

Some nuances escape analysis.

3

Quelques rares individus ont réussi.

A few rare individuals succeeded.

4

Certains aspects méritent une étude approfondie.

Some aspects deserve in-depth study.

1

Plusieurs décennies se sont écoulées depuis.

Several decades have passed since then.

2

Certaines interprétations divergent radicalement.

Some interpretations diverge radically.

3

Quelques écrits témoignent de cette époque.

A few writings bear witness to this era.

4

Certains courants de pensée prédominent.

Some schools of thought predominate.

Easily Confused

French Indefinites: Some, Several, A Few (`certains`, `plusieurs`, `quelques`) vs Quelques vs Quelques-uns

Learners mix up the adjective and the pronoun.

French Indefinites: Some, Several, A Few (`certains`, `plusieurs`, `quelques`) vs Plusieurs vs Beaucoup

Both indicate quantity.

French Indefinites: Some, Several, A Few (`certains`, `plusieurs`, `quelques`) vs Certains vs Des

Both can mean 'some'.

Common Mistakes

✗

Quelque livre

✓

Quelques livres

Must be plural.
✗

Plusieurses

✓

Plusieurs

Invariable.
✗

Certains pomme

✓

Certaines pommes

Agreement error.
✗

Quelques de livres

✓

Quelques livres

No 'de' needed.
✗

Plusieurs amis sont venus

✓

Plusieurs amis sont venus

Correct, but watch for 'plusieurs-uns'.
✗

Certains gens

✓

Certaines personnes

Gender agreement.
✗

J'ai quelques-uns livres

✓

J'ai quelques livres

Adjective vs pronoun.
✗

Il y a certains des problèmes

✓

Il y a certains problèmes

No article needed.
✗

Plusieurs de mes amis

✓

Plusieurs de mes amis

This is actually correct, but often misused.
✗

Quelques-uns des étudiants

✓

Quelques étudiants

Contextual error.
✗

Certains de ces faits sont vrais

✓

Certains de ces faits sont vrais

Correct, but watch for register.
✗

Plusieurs parmi les gens

✓

Plusieurs personnes

Redundancy.
✗

Quelques rares de gens

✓

Quelques rares personnes

Grammar structure.
✗

Certaines des théories

✓

Certaines théories

Article usage.

Sentence Patterns

J'ai ___ ___.

___ ___ sont difficiles.

Il y a ___ ___ à régler.

___ ___ pensent que c'est vrai.

Real World Usage

Social Media very common

Quelques photos de mes vacances!

Job Interview common

J'ai plusieurs années d'expérience.

Texting constant

J'arrive dans quelques minutes.

Food Delivery App occasional

Certaines options sont indisponibles.

Travel common

Il y a plusieurs hôtels ici.

Academic Essay very common

Certains arguments sont convaincants.

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💡

Check the noun

Always check if the noun is plural before using these quantifiers.
⚠️

Plusieurs is invariable

Never add an 's' to 'plusieurs', even if the noun is feminine.
🎯

Certains for contrast

Use 'certains' when you want to contrast one group with another.
💬

Formal vs Informal

Use 'plusieurs' in professional emails to sound more precise.

Smart Tips

Use 'plusieurs' to sound more professional than 'quelques'.

J'ai quelques idées pour le rapport. → J'ai plusieurs idées pour le rapport.

Use 'certains' to create a clear contrast.

Des gens aiment le sport, d'autres non. → Certaines personnes aiment le sport, d'autres non.

Use 'plusieurs' if it's more than two.

J'ai deux ou trois amis. → J'ai plusieurs amis.

Use 'quelques' to suggest a small amount.

J'ai des problèmes. → J'ai quelques problèmes.

Pronunciation

/kɛlkəz‿ami/

Liaison

When 'quelques' is followed by a vowel, pronounce the 's'.

Emphasis

CERTAINS jours... (rising pitch)

Highlights the contrast.

Memorize It

Mnemonic

Q-P-C: Quelques (a few), Plusieurs (several), Certains (some). Think: 'Quite Possible Clearly'.

Visual Association

Imagine a small pile of coins (Quelques), a larger stack of books (Plusieurs), and a specific group of people wearing red hats (Certains).

Rhyme

Quelques is small, Plusieurs is more, Certains picks out the ones at the door.

Story

I had quelques coins in my pocket. I bought plusieurs books at the store. Certaines pages were torn, but I didn't mind.

Word Web

QuelquesPlusieursCertainsCertainesQuelques-unsPlusieurs-uns

Challenge

Write 3 sentences about your day using each of the three quantifiers.

Cultural Notes

Used frequently in academic and professional settings to sound precise.

Often replaced by 'quelques-uns' or 'des' in casual speech.

Formal usage is preferred in written communication.

These words evolved from Latin roots indicating quantity and selection.

Conversation Starters

“

As-tu quelques projets pour le week-end?

“

Connais-tu plusieurs langues?

“

Certains pensent que le travail à distance est mieux. Qu'en penses-tu?

“

Quels sont les avantages de plusieurs années d'expérience?

Journal Prompts

Describe your morning routine using 'quelques'.
List several goals you have for this year.
Discuss some aspects of your culture that you love.
Analyze several challenges in modern society.

Common Mistakes

Incorrect

Correct

Incorrect

Correct

Incorrect

Correct

Incorrect

Correct

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Test Yourself

Fill in the blank with the correct quantifier.

J'ai ___ idées pour le projet.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: quelques
Quelques fits the context of a small number of ideas.
Choose the correct form. Multiple Choice

___ personnes sont arrivées en retard.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: Certaines
Personnes is feminine plural, so Certaines is required.
Find the mistake. Error Correction

Find and fix the mistake:

Il a plusieurses amis.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: plusieurses
Plusieurs is invariable.
Change to plural. Sentence Transformation

Il a une idée. -> Il a ___ idées.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: quelques
Quelques is the correct quantifier for plural.
Match the meaning. Match Pairs

Match each item on the left with its pair on the right:

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: Quelques: A few
Correct definitions.
Order the words. Sentence Building

jours / sont / certains / longs

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: Certains jours sont longs
Correct word order.
Is the rule true? True False Rule

Plusieurs changes for gender.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: False
Plusieurs is invariable.
Complete the dialogue. Dialogue Completion

A: As-tu des questions? B: Oui, j'ai ___.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: quelques-unes
Pronoun form needed here.

Score: /8

Practice Exercises

8 exercises
Fill in the blank with the correct quantifier.

J'ai ___ idées pour le projet.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: quelques
Quelques fits the context of a small number of ideas.
Choose the correct form. Multiple Choice

___ personnes sont arrivées en retard.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: Certaines
Personnes is feminine plural, so Certaines is required.
Find the mistake. Error Correction

Find and fix the mistake:

Il a plusieurses amis.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: plusieurses
Plusieurs is invariable.
Change to plural. Sentence Transformation

Il a une idée. -> Il a ___ idées.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: quelques
Quelques is the correct quantifier for plural.
Match the meaning. Match Pairs

Match the word to its meaning.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: Quelques: A few
Correct definitions.
Order the words. Sentence Building

jours / sont / certains / longs

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: Certains jours sont longs
Correct word order.
Is the rule true? True False Rule

Plusieurs changes for gender.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: False
Plusieurs is invariable.
Complete the dialogue. Dialogue Completion

A: As-tu des questions? B: Oui, j'ai ___.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: quelques-unes
Pronoun form needed here.

Score: /8

Practice Bank

10 exercises
Fill in the blank with the pronoun form of 'a few'. Fill in the Blank

Des messages ? Oui, j'en ai reçu ___.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: quelques-uns
Which sentence is grammatically correct? Multiple Choice

Choose the right option:

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: Certaines personnes préfèrent le thé.
Correct the pronoun usage. Error Correction

J'ai plusieurs de livres.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: J'ai plusieurs livres.
Put the words in the correct order. Sentence Reorder

reçu / j'en / plusieurs / ai / .

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: J'en ai reçu plusieurs.
Translate to French Translation

Some students are late.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: Certains étudiants sont en retard.
Match the word to its usage Match Pairs

Match the items:

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: Plusieurs : Several
Pick the right contrastive pronoun. Multiple Choice

Certains aiment le café, ___ préfèrent le thé.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: d'autres
Choose the right word for 'a small handful'. Fill in the Blank

Laisse-moi ___ minutes pour me préparer.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: quelques
Fix the agreement error. Error Correction

Certaines chats sont noirs.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: Certains chats sont noirs.
Translate the pronoun usage. Translation

I have several of them.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: J'en ai plusieurs.

Score: /10

FAQ (8)

No, 'quelques' must always be followed by a plural noun.

Yes, it implies a number greater than two, so it is always plural.

Use 'certains' when you want to highlight a specific subset of a larger group.

No, you do not use 'des' or 'les' after these words.

It is more formal than 'quelques' and implies a higher level of precision.

'Quelques' is an adjective (followed by a noun), while 'quelques-uns' is a pronoun (replaces the noun).

Yes, but be careful with 'aucun' if you mean 'not any'.

Yes, they are standard French, though usage frequency varies.

Scaffolded Practice

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In Other Languages

Spanish high

algunos, varios

Spanish 'algunos' covers both 'quelques' and 'certains'.

German moderate

einige, mehrere

German requires case declension.

Japanese low

いくらか, いくつか

Lack of gender/number agreement.

Arabic partial

بعض, عدة

Arabic has a dual form.

Chinese low

一些, 几个

No pluralization of nouns.

English high

some, several, certain

English lacks gender agreement.

Learning Path

Prerequisites

Previous
General Concepts: Using 'Le', 'La', 'Les' for Abstract Ideas
Next
Short vs. Long Adverbs: Where do they go? (Position des adverbes)

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