French grammar: pronoms démonstratifs simples

What this grammar point covers

Simple demonstrative pronouns in French are words like 'celui', 'celle', 'ceux', and 'celles' used to point to or replace a previously mentioned noun.

When to use it

Use these pronouns when you want to refer to something or someone that has already been mentioned, without repeating the noun. They are often used to show preference, make comparisons, or answer questions like 'Which one?'.

Key forms

• celui (masculine singular)
• celle (feminine singular)
• ceux (masculine plural)
• celles (feminine plural)

Examples

Tips

• Always match the pronoun to the gender and number of the noun it replaces.
• Add '-ci' (here) or '-là' (there) after the pronoun to make the meaning clearer.
• Do not use an article (like 'le' or 'la') with these pronouns.