B2 Nouns & Articles 13 min read Hard

Plural of Compound Nouns (des chefs-d'œuvre)

Identify each word's part of speech: nouns/adjectives pluralize, while verbs/prepositions remain invariable.
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Grammar Rule in 30 Seconds

Compound nouns pluralize based on their parts: nouns and adjectives usually take an 's', while verbs and prepositions stay frozen.

  • Nouns and adjectives pluralize: {un|m} chou-fleur → {des|m} choux-fleurs.
  • Verbs, adverbs, and prepositions stay singular: {un|m} porte-clés → {des|m} porte-clés.
  • If there is a preposition, only the first noun pluralizes: {un|m} chef-d'œuvre → {des|m} chefs-d'œuvre.
Noun + Adjective = Plural | Verb + Noun = Partial Plural

Overview

At the B2 level, your engagement with French moves beyond simple sentences into the nuanced architecture of the language. Compound nouns, or les noms composés, are a prime example of this complexity. These are words formed by combining two or more individual words, often linked by a hyphen, to create a new, single concept.

Think of un chef-d'œuvre (a masterpiece) or un porte-monnaie (a wallet). The central challenge they present is pluralization. Unlike simple nouns where you typically add an -s, the plural of a compound noun depends entirely on the grammatical identity of its components.

The underlying principle is a distinction between variable and invariable parts of speech. Nouns and adjectives are considered variable; they can change form to reflect number (singular/plural) and gender. In contrast, verbs, adverbs, and prepositions are invariable; they maintain a fixed form regardless of context.

When forming the plural of a compound noun, you essentially conduct a grammatical audit of each component: only the variable elements are eligible to take a plural marker (-s or -x).

Understanding this logic is crucial. It explains why the plural of un chou-fleur (cauliflower, noun + noun) is des choux-fleurs, but the plural of un arc-en-ciel (rainbow, noun + preposition + noun) is des arcs-en-ciel. This is not arbitrary; it reflects the grammatical roles within the compound.

Mastering this system will significantly refine your written French, moving you from sounding like a learner to demonstrating a sophisticated grasp of the language's structure. Furthermore, you will encounter the effects of the 1990 spelling reforms (les rectifications orthographiques), which often simplify these rules and provide alternative, more regular plurals that are now widely accepted.

How This Grammar Works

The entire system for pluralizing compound nouns rests on identifying the nature of each word joined by the hyphen. You must determine whether each part is a noun, adjective, verb, adverb, or preposition. Once identified, the rules are remarkably consistent.
Variable Words (Les mots variables)
These are the words that can and usually do change in the plural. They are the primary candidates for receiving an -s or -x.
  • Nouns (Noms): The most common variable element. They name a person, place, or thing. Example: fleur becomes fleurs.
  • Adjectives (Adjectifs): These describe nouns and agree in gender and number. Example: grand becomes grands.
When a compound noun contains these elements, they will almost always be marked for plural, unless a specific grammatical or semantic reason prevents it. For instance, in un grand-père (grandfather), both the adjective grand and the noun père are variable, so the plural is des grands-pères.
Invariable Words (Les mots invariables)
These words are grammatically fixed and never take a plural marker in a compound noun.
  • Verbs (Verbes): When a verb appears in a compound noun, it's usually in its uninflected stem form or the imperative (e.g., porte from porter, gratte from gratter). It signifies an action but does not function as a conjugated verb, so it cannot be pluralized. Writing *portes-monnaie is a classic error.
  • Adverbs (Adverbes): Words that modify verbs or adjectives, like haut in haut-parleur or arrière in arrière-boutique. They are always invariable.
  • Prepositions (Prépositions): Small words that link other words, such as de, en, à, sans. They are fundamentally invariable. In un chef-d'œuvre, the d' (a contraction of de) is a preposition and remains unchanged.
By dissecting a compound noun like un abat-jour (lampshade), you identify abat (from the verb abattre, to beat down) and jour (noun, light/day). The verb is invariable, the noun is variable. Therefore, the plural is des abat-jour (traditional rule, as it blocks a single source of light) or, more commonly today following the 1990 reforms, des abat-jours.

Formation Pattern

1
To correctly form the plural of a compound noun, identify its structure from the patterns below. The 1990 spelling reforms (réforme 1990) have simplified many of these, often by making the final component plural by default. Both traditional and reformed spellings are generally accepted today, though usage may vary by context (formal writing often prefers traditional forms).
2
| Pattern | Traditional Rule | Example (Traditional) | 1990 Reform Rule | Example (1990 Reform) |
3
|---|---|---|---|---|
4
| Noun + Noun | Both parts take a plural marker. | un oiseau-mouche → des oiseaux-mouches | No change. | un chou-fleur → des choux-fleurs |
5
| Noun + Adj | Both parts take a plural marker. | un coffre-fort → des coffres-forts | No change. | une basse-cour → des basses-cours |
6
| Adj + Noun | Both parts take a plural marker. | un grand-père → des grands-pères | No change. | un petit-pois → des petits-pois |
7
| Noun + Prep + Noun | Only the first noun takes a plural marker. | un chef-d'œuvre → des chefs-d'œuvre | No change. | un arc-en-ciel → des arcs-en-ciel |
8
| Verb + Noun | Verb is invariable. Noun pluralizes if logic allows. | un tire-bouchon → des tire-bouchons | Verb is invariable. Second noun always takes a plural marker. | un gratte-ciel → des gratte-ciels |
9
| Invariable + Noun | Only the noun takes a plural marker. | un haut-parleur → des haut-parleurs | No change. | une après-midi → des après-midis |
10
| Verb + Verb | Both parts are invariable. | un laissez-passer → des laissez-passer | No change. | un va-et-vient → des va-et-vient |
11
| Verb + Adv | Both parts are invariable. | un passe-partout → des passe-partout | No change. | un couche-tard → des couche-tard |
12
Key Nuances:
13
Noun + Noun (with complement): A subtle exception to the Noun + Noun rule occurs when the second noun functions as a complement specifying the first, almost as if a preposition were implied. In these cases, only the first noun pluralizes. For example, un timbre-poste (a postage stamp) becomes des timbres-poste because it means des timbres pour la poste.
14
Verb + Noun (the biggest change): The 1990 reforms had the most significant impact here. Traditionally, the noun's pluralization depended on semantics. un gratte-ciel (skyscraper) remained des gratte-ciel because a building only 'scrapes' one sky. The reform simplifies this: the final element takes the plural marker unless it is a proper noun or has a singular-only meaning (des pèse-lettre -> des pèse-lettres). Today, des gratte-ciels is very common and correct.
15
Welded Nouns (Noms Soudés): Over time, some compound nouns lose their hyphen and merge into a single word, like portemanteau or portefeuille. Once 'welded', they are treated as simple nouns and follow standard pluralization rules: des portemanteaux, des portefeuilles.

Gender & Agreement

Determining the gender of a compound noun is a necessary step before you can correctly agree with articles (un/une, le/la) and adjectives. The rules for gender are generally more straightforward than for pluralization.
The general rule is that the gender of the compound noun is determined by the gender of the first noun in the construction.
  • un chou-fleur (cauliflower) is masculine because un chou is masculine.
  • une station-service (gas station) is feminine because une station is feminine.
  • un chef-d'œuvre (masterpiece) is masculine because un chef is masculine.
This principle holds true for most Noun + Noun and Noun + Adjective combinations. However, there are important exceptions for other patterns:
  • Verb + Noun: In this common pattern, the gender is almost always determined by the noun, not the verb (which has no gender). For example, un tire-bouchon (corkscrew) is masculine because un bouchon is masculine. Similarly, une perce-neige (snowdrop flower) is feminine, following the gender of la neige (and une perce-neige as a whole concept).
  • Invariable Constructions: For compounds that don't start with a noun, such as Verb + Verb (le savoir-faire, know-how) or prepositional phrases (le qu'en-dira-t-on, what people will say), the gender is typically masculine.
Adjective Agreement:
Once you know the gender and number of the compound noun, any external adjective describing it must agree accordingly. This is a common point of error where learners focus so much on the internal pluralization that they forget the external agreement.
  • J'ai vu de beaux arcs-en-ciel. (arc-en-ciel is masculine, plural, so the adjective is beaux).
  • Ces basses-cours sont bruyantes. (basse-cour is feminine, plural, so the adjective is bruyantes).

When To Use It

Mastery of compound noun plurals is not an obscure academic exercise; it is essential for clear and correct communication in a wide range of real-world contexts. At a B2 level, you are expected to produce language for professional, academic, and sophisticated personal use, all of which are rich in compound nouns.
In Professional and Academic Settings:
Your writing will immediately appear more polished if you correctly pluralize terms common in the workplace or university. You might need to write des comptes-rendus (meeting minutes), analyze des points de vue (points of view), or discuss the savoir-faire (expertise) required for a project. In legal or policy documents, you'll find des gardes-fous (safeguards) and des ayants droit (rightful claimants).
In Everyday Modern Life:
You use these words constantly without thinking. You buy des petits-déjeuners (breakfasts), visit your grands-parents (grandparents), and use des sèche-cheveux (hairdryers). When shopping, you look for des choux-fleurs at the market or buy des porte-clés (keychains) as souvenirs.
Correct usage in these daily contexts demonstrates a deep, natural integration of French grammar.
In Media, Culture, and Technology:
Discussing culture requires this skill. You might review des longs-métrages (feature films), read des bandes dessinées (comic books), or admire des chefs-d'œuvre in a museum. In the digital world, you optimize content with des mots-clés (keywords), listen to music on des haut-parleurs (speakers), and protect your data with des mots de passe (passwords).
Using these terms correctly shows you can discuss contemporary topics with precision.

Common Mistakes

Learners at all levels stumble over compound nouns. Being aware of the most common pitfalls is the first step toward avoiding them.
  1. 1The Verb Trap: Pluralizing a Verb.
This is the most frequent error. Learners see a word like porte in un porte-monnaie and instinctively add an -s. A verb within a compound noun is invariable.
  • Incorrect: des portes-monnaie or des portes-monnaies
  • Correct: des porte-monnaie (traditional) or des porte-monnaies (1990 reform)
  1. 1The Preposition Trap: Pluralizing After a Preposition.
In a Noun + Preposition + Noun structure, the second noun is a complement and cannot be pluralized. The plural marker belongs only on the first noun.
  • Incorrect: des chefs-d'œuvres, des arcs-en-ciels
  • Correct: des chefs-d'œuvre, des arcs-en-ciel
  1. 1The garde Confusion: Verb or Noun?
The word garde can be a verb (garder) or a noun (un garde). You must analyze its role. If it means 'he/she who guards', it's a noun. If it means 'it which guards/keeps', it's a verb.
Incorrect
✗un garde-malade (a nurse, a person who guards): Noun + Noun
✓des gardes-malades (both pluralize).
✗un garde-manger (a pantry, a thing that keeps food): Verb + Noun
✓des garde-manger (verb is invariable).
  1. 1Forgetting the First s in Adjective + Noun.
A simple but common slip-up is failing to pluralize the adjective in Adjective + Noun compounds. Both parts are variable and must agree.
  • Incorrect: des grand-mères, des petit-pois
  • Correct: des grands-mères, des petits-pois
  1. 1Ignoring Words Already Ending in -s, -x, or -z.
If a noun component already ends in a silent plural letter, its form does not change. The hyphenated structure can distract from this basic rule.
✗un cure-dents (a toothpick)
✓des cure-dents (no change).
✗un casse-noix (a nutcracker)
✓des casse-noix (no change).

Common Collocations

Learning compound nouns in context reinforces both grammar and vocabulary. Here are some common examples in their natural environment:
  • des chefs-d'œuvre: Le musée du Louvre abrite d'innombrables chefs-d'œuvre de l'art occidental. (The Louvre Museum is home to countless masterpieces of Western art.)
  • des grands-parents: Beaucoup d'enfants passent une partie de leurs vacances d'été chez leurs grands-parents. (Many children spend part of their summer vacation at their grandparents' house.)
  • des comptes-rendus: La secrétaire est chargée de rédiger les comptes-rendus de chaque réunion. (The secretary is responsible for writing the minutes of each meeting.)
  • des points de vue: Le débat a permis de confronter des points de vue très différents sur la question. (The debate allowed for the confrontation of very different points of view on the issue.)
  • des arcs-en-ciel: Après l'averse, les enfants se sont émerveillés devant les deux arcs-en-ciel qui traversaient le ciel. (After the downpour, the children marveled at the two rainbows stretching across the sky.)
  • des mots-clés: Pour un bon référencement, le choix des mots-clés est une étape fondamentale. (For good SEO, the choice of keywords is a fundamental step.)

Real Conversations

Here is how you might encounter these structures in authentic, everyday French dialogue.

S

Scenario 1

Colleagues discussing work
A

A

Salut, tu as pu jeter un œil aux comptes-rendus de la semaine dernière ?
B

B

Oui, je les ai lus. J'ai noté quelques points de vue intéressants. Par contre, il manque les mots-clés dans le résumé.
A

A

Ah, bien vu. Je vais les rajouter avant de les envoyer.
A

Analysis

This dialogue naturally uses comptes-rendus, points de vue, and mots-clés, all correctly pluralized in a professional context.*
S

Scenario 2

Friends making plans via text message
A

A

Ça te dit des après-midis piscine la semaine pro ? Il va faire super chaud.
B

B

Carrément ! Je suis libre mardi et jeudi. On se prend des laissez-passer pour le club ?
A

Analysis

This showcases the modern, reformed plural des après-midis, which is very common in informal communication. It also includes the invariable des laissez-passer.*
S

Scenario 3

Family conversation
A

A

Les gâteaux de mamie sont incroyables. Mes grands-parents sont de vrais cordons-bleus.
B

B

C'est vrai. Son mari, c'est pareil. Ce sont des fins-gourmets tous les deux.
A

Analysis

This conversation uses grands-parents and two other compound nouns to describe people: cordons-bleus (excellent cooks) and fins-gourmets (gourmets), both of which are Adjective + Noun and take two plural markers.*

Quick FAQ

Q: Should I use the traditional rules or the 1990 spelling reforms?

Both are considered correct. In academic or very formal writing, the traditional rules are often preferred for their nuance. In daily life, journalism, and online communication, the simplified 1990 reforms (e.g., des gratte-ciels, des après-midis) are extremely common and perfectly acceptable. The best advice is to choose one system and be consistent within a single document.

Q: How do I know if garde is a verb or a noun?

Ask what it means. Does it refer to a person/thing that guards (un garde), or the action of guarding (garder)? Un garde-chasse is a 'game warden' (a person), so it's a noun: des gardes-chasse. Un garde-boue is a 'mudguard' (it guards from mud), so it's a verb: des garde-boue.

Q: How are foreign compound words like week-end pluralized?

Borrowed words are typically treated as a single block and simply take an -s. Examples: des week-ends, des best-sellers, des talk-shows. French grammar rules about internal components do not apply.

Q: What happens if a compound noun is written as one word, without a hyphen?

This is a 'welded' noun (nom soudé), such as portefeuille or bonhomme. It has evolved into a simple noun and follows the regular pluralization rules for its ending. For example: des portefeuilles, des bonshommes (note the internal agreement change here, an exception), des gendarmes.

Q: My dictionary shows two different plurals for one word. Which is right?

The dictionary is showing you both the traditional plural and the 1990-reformed plural. For instance, for un abat-jour, you might see des abat-jour (traditional) and des abat-jours (reformed). Both are valid options.

Pluralization Logic Table

Structure Rule Example (Singular) Example (Plural)
Noun + Noun
Both pluralize
chou-fleur
choux-fleurs
Noun + Adjective
Both pluralize
coffre-fort
coffres-forts
Verb + Noun
Only noun pluralizes
porte-clés
porte-clés
Preposition + Noun
Only noun pluralizes
arc-en-ciel
arcs-en-ciel
Noun + Prep + Noun
Only first noun pluralizes
chef-d'œuvre
chefs-d'œuvre
Adjective + Noun
Both pluralize
grand-mère
grands-mères

Meanings

The process of making compound nouns (words joined by hyphens or spaces) plural by applying specific grammatical constraints to their components.

1

Noun + Adjective

Both components take the plural suffix.

“Des coffres-forts”

“Des sourds-muets”

2

Verb + Noun

Only the noun pluralizes if it makes sense logically.

“Des porte-avions”

“Des garde-manger”

3

Prepositional Phrases

Only the first noun pluralizes.

“Des chefs-d'œuvre”

“Des arcs-en-ciel”

Reference Table

Reference table for Plural of Compound Nouns (des chefs-d'œuvre)
Form Structure Example
Affirmative
Noun+Adj
Des coffres-forts
Affirmative
Verb+Noun
Des porte-avions
Negative
Noun+Adj
Pas de coffres-forts
Negative
Verb+Noun
Pas de porte-avions
Question
Noun+Adj
Sont-ce des coffres-forts?
Question
Verb+Noun
Sont-ce des porte-avions?
Short Answer
Noun+Adj
Oui, des coffres-forts.
Short Answer
Verb+Noun
Oui, des porte-avions.

Formality Spectrum

Formal
Ces œuvres sont des chefs-d'œuvre.

Ces œuvres sont des chefs-d'œuvre. (Art critique)

Neutral
Ce sont des chefs-d'œuvre.

Ce sont des chefs-d'œuvre. (Art critique)

Informal
C'est du lourd, ces chefs-d'œuvre.

C'est du lourd, ces chefs-d'œuvre. (Art critique)

Slang
C'est de la bombe, ces chefs-d'œuvre.

C'est de la bombe, ces chefs-d'œuvre. (Art critique)

Compound Noun Anatomy

Compound Noun

Active (Pluralize)

  • Noun Nom
  • Adjective Adjectif

Frozen (Stay Singular)

  • Verb Verbe
  • Preposition Préposition

Pluralization Logic

Noun+Adj
coffre-fort safe
Verb+Noun
porte-clés keychain
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Examples by Level

1

J'ai deux choux-fleurs.

I have two cauliflowers.

2

Voici des porte-clés.

Here are some keychains.

3

Il a des beaux-frères.

He has brothers-in-law.

4

Ce sont des coffres-forts.

These are safes.

1

Les arcs-en-ciel sont beaux.

The rainbows are beautiful.

2

Il y a des gratte-ciels ici.

There are skyscrapers here.

3

J'ai acheté des garde-manger.

I bought some pantries.

4

Ce sont des chefs-d'œuvre.

These are masterpieces.

1

Les oiseaux-mouches volent vite.

The hummingbirds fly fast.

2

Les sourds-muets utilisent la langue des signes.

The deaf-mutes use sign language.

3

Il faut nettoyer les pare-brise.

You must clean the windshields.

4

Les pots-de-vin sont illégaux.

Bribes are illegal.

1

Les états-majors ont décidé de la stratégie.

The staff headquarters decided on the strategy.

2

Les garde-fous sont nécessaires.

Safeguards are necessary.

3

Les arrière-boutiques sont sombres.

The back shops are dark.

4

Les avant-postes ont été attaqués.

The outposts were attacked.

1

Les garde-chasses surveillent la forêt.

The gamekeepers watch the forest.

2

Les porte-paroles ont fait une déclaration.

The spokespeople made a statement.

3

Les contre-attaques furent décisives.

The counterattacks were decisive.

4

Les demi-tours sont interdits.

U-turns are prohibited.

1

Les garde-robes sont pleines de vêtements.

The wardrobes are full of clothes.

2

Les chasses-neiges déblaient la route.

The snowplows clear the road.

3

Les timbres-postes sont rares.

The postage stamps are rare.

4

Les garde-meubles sont sécurisés.

The furniture storage units are secure.

Easily Confused

Plural of Compound Nouns (des chefs-d'œuvre) vs Simple Plural vs Compound Plural

Learners try to add 's' to the end of everything.

Plural of Compound Nouns (des chefs-d'œuvre) vs Verb+Noun vs Noun+Noun

Learners pluralize the verb.

Plural of Compound Nouns (des chefs-d'œuvre) vs Prepositional Phrases

Learners pluralize the last noun.

Common Mistakes

✗

portes-clés

✓

porte-clés

Porte is a verb, it cannot be pluralized.
✗

coffre-forts

✓

coffres-forts

Both noun and adjective must pluralize.
✗

chefs-d'œuvres

✓

chefs-d'œuvre

Only the first noun pluralizes in this structure.
✗

garde-fous

✓

garde-fous

Actually, this is an exception, but often confused.

Sentence Patterns

J'ai acheté des ___.

Ces ___ sont magnifiques.

Il faut installer des ___.

Les ___ sont interdits ici.

Real World Usage

Social Media common

Regardez ces arcs-en-ciel !

Texting common

J'ai perdu mes porte-clés.

Job Interview occasional

J'ai géré des états-majors.

Travel common

Où sont les chemins de fer ?

Food Delivery common

Je veux des choux-fleurs.

Academic Writing occasional

Ce sont des chefs-d'œuvre.

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💡

Check the hyphen

If you see a hyphen, stop and analyze the parts.
⚠️

Verbs don't change

Never add an 's' to a verb in a compound noun.
🎯

Look for the head noun

The head noun is usually the one that carries the plural.
💬

Context matters

Some compounds are regional; check local usage.

Smart Tips

Analyze the parts before pluralizing.

portes-clés → porte-clés

Do not add an 's'.

gratte-ciels → gratte-ciels

Only pluralize the first noun.

chefs-d'œuvres → chefs-d'œuvre

Pluralize it too.

coffre-fort → coffres-forts

Pronunciation

des-z-arcs-en-ciel

Liaison

The 's' in plural compound nouns often triggers a liaison if the next word starts with a vowel.

Rising at the end

Des chefs-d'œuvre↗?

Questioning if they are masterpieces.

Memorize It

Mnemonic

Nouns and Adjectives are the 'Active' players who change, while Verbs and Prepositions are 'Frozen' in time.

Visual Association

Imagine a 'coffre-fort' (safe) growing two 's' arms because it's a noun and adjective, while a 'porte-clés' (keychain) stays frozen like an ice cube because it starts with a verb.

Rhyme

Nouns and adjectives take the 's', verbs and prepositions stay in their dress.

Story

The Chef-d'œuvre (masterpiece) went to the store. He was a noun, so he took his 's' friend. But the 'porte-clés' (keychain) stayed at home, frozen in his verb-shell, refusing to change.

Word Web

chou-fleurcoffre-fortporte-cléschef-d'œuvrearc-en-cielgratte-ciel

Challenge

Find 5 compound nouns in a French newspaper and write their plural forms in 5 minutes.

Cultural Notes

Compound nouns are very common in French administration and culinary arts.

Quebec French often uses anglicized compound nouns, but the plural rules remain the same.

Belgian French uses specific compound nouns for local food.

Compound nouns in French evolved from Latin phrases that became lexicalized over time.

Conversation Starters

“

Quels sont tes chefs-d'œuvre préférés ?

“

As-tu des porte-clés originaux ?

“

Penses-tu que les gratte-ciels sont beaux ?

“

Connais-tu des garde-fous pour cette loi ?

Journal Prompts

Describe your favorite art pieces using compound nouns.
Write about the architecture of your city.
Discuss the importance of rules in society.
Describe a meal you cooked.

Common Mistakes

Incorrect

Correct

Incorrect

Correct

Incorrect

Correct

Incorrect

Correct

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Test Yourself

Pluralize the noun: un chou-fleur -> des ___

chou-fleur

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: choux-fleurs
Both parts are nouns.
Which is correct? Multiple Choice

Des ___

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: porte-clés
Porte is a verb.
Fix the mistake. Error Correction

Find and fix the mistake:

Il a des chefs-d'œuvres.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: Il a des chefs-d'œuvre.
Only the first noun pluralizes.
Make plural: Le coffre-fort est lourd. Sentence Transformation

Le coffre-fort est lourd.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: Les coffres-forts sont lourds.
Both noun and adjective pluralize.
Match singular to plural. Match Pairs

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

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: arcs-en-ciel
Only the first noun changes.
Build the sentence. Sentence Building

des / gratte-ciels / sont / hauts

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: Des gratte-ciels sont hauts.
Noun pluralizes.
Sort by type. Grammar Sorting

Which is a verb+noun?

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: porte-clés
Porte is a verb.
Pluralize: garde-fou Conjugation Drill

garde-fou

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: gardes-fous
Noun and noun pluralize.

Score: /8

Practice Exercises

8 exercises
Pluralize the noun: un chou-fleur -> des ___

chou-fleur

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: choux-fleurs
Both parts are nouns.
Which is correct? Multiple Choice

Des ___

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: porte-clés
Porte is a verb.
Fix the mistake. Error Correction

Find and fix the mistake:

Il a des chefs-d'œuvres.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: Il a des chefs-d'œuvre.
Only the first noun pluralizes.
Make plural: Le coffre-fort est lourd. Sentence Transformation

Le coffre-fort est lourd.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: Les coffres-forts sont lourds.
Both noun and adjective pluralize.
Match singular to plural. Match Pairs

arc-en-ciel

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: arcs-en-ciel
Only the first noun changes.
Build the sentence. Sentence Building

des / gratte-ciels / sont / hauts

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: Des gratte-ciels sont hauts.
Noun pluralizes.
Sort by type. Grammar Sorting

Which is a verb+noun?

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: porte-clés
Porte is a verb.
Pluralize: garde-fou Conjugation Drill

garde-fou

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: gardes-fous
Noun and noun pluralize.

Score: /8

Practice Bank

10 exercises
Pluralize 'un oiseau-mouche' (hummingbird). Fill in the Blank

Regarde ces beaux __ dans le jardin.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: oiseaux-mouches
Plural of 'un grand-père'. Multiple Choice

Mes deux __ sont nés en Bretagne.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: grands-pères
Fix the plural of 'un arc-en-ciel'. Error Correction

Nous avons vu trois arcs-en-ciels après l'orage.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: arcs-en-ciel
Translate: 'The key rings are on the table.' Translation

Les __ sont sur la table.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: porte-clefs
Match the singular with its correct plural. Match Pairs

Match the forms:

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: all correct
Put the words in order. Sentence Reorder

loué / avons / nous / des / longs-métrages

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: Nous avons loué des longs-métrages
Pluralize 'un après-midi'. Fill in the Blank

J'aime passer mes __ à la bibliothèque.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: après-midis
Correct plural of 'un porte-monnaie'. Multiple Choice

Où sont les __ ?

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: porte-monnaies
Fix: 'Des sourcils-en-bataille'. Error Correction

Il a des sourcils-en-batailles.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: sourcils-en-bataille
Translate: 'Social networks'. Translation

Les __.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: réseaux sociaux

Score: /10

FAQ (8)

If they are verbs or prepositions, they are invariable.

Look at the infinitive form. If it's a verb, it won't change.

Yes, some words have become lexicalized over time.

Most compound nouns use hyphens, but some don't.

It's used in all registers.

When in doubt, check a dictionary.

Only if both are nouns or adjectives.

Because it's a prepositional phrase structure.

Scaffolded Practice

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Mastery Progress

Needs Practice

Improving

Strong

Mastered

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In Other Languages

Spanish partial

Nombres compuestos

Spanish usually pluralizes the last element only.

German low

Komposita

German uses a single word without hyphens.

English moderate

Compound nouns

English pluralizes the head noun, not the whole phrase.

Japanese none

Fukugō meishi

Japanese nouns are invariable.

Arabic low

Al-asma' al-murakkaba

Arabic grammar is entirely different.

Chinese none

Fùhé míngcí

Chinese lacks morphological pluralization.

Learning Path

Prerequisites

Previous
French Adverbs: The Double-M Rule (-amment, -emment)
Next
French Noun Gender: Master Masculine vs. Feminine by Endings (-age, -tion, -ette)

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