French grammar: pronoms démonstratifs

What this grammar point covers

Demonstrative pronouns in French are words used to point out or refer to something or someone specifically. They mean things like 'this one,' 'that one,' 'these,' or 'those' in English.

When to use it

Use French demonstrative pronouns when you want to replace a noun that has already been mentioned or is obvious from the context. They help you refer to specific people or things without repeating the noun.

Key forms

• celui (masculine singular)
• celle (feminine singular)
• ceux (masculine plural)
• celles (feminine plural)
• You can add '-ci' (here) or '-là' (there) for more precision: celui-ci, celle-là, etc.

Examples

Tips

• Always match the gender and number of the pronoun to the noun it replaces.
• Use '-ci' for something close ('this one'), and '-là' for something further away ('that one').
• Do not use a demonstrative pronoun alone; it is usually followed by a relative clause or '-ci'/'-là'.

Exceptions and edge cases

• The pronoun 'ce' is different; it is used for general statements (e.g., 'C'est facile.').