Do you know the difference between Tout, Tous, Toute, and Toutes? Have you been using them interchangeably without realizing that there are subtle variations in their usage? We've got you covered! In this article, we will meticulously define each term and provide examples of their proper use. Get ready to finally have a complete understanding of these four words!
What is a Tout, Tous, Toute ou Tous?
"Tout, Tous, Toute, Tous" is the French translation of "all". It can be used as a pronoun, adjective, or adverb. When used as a pronoun, it means "everyone", "everything", or "everybody". When used as an adjective, it means "total" or "entire". When used as an adverb, it means "completely" or "totally".
Here are some example sentences using "tout, tous, toute, tous":
Pronoun: Tout le monde est ici. Everyone is here.
Pronoun: Tous les enfants ont été bons. All the children have been good.
Adjective: C'est un tout nouveau ordinateur. It's a brand new computer.
Adverb: Je suis désolé de te le dire, mais tu es viré ! I'm sorry to tell you this, but you're fired!
Difference Between Articles (TOUT, TOUS) & Nouns (TOUTES)
TOUT, TOUS, TOUTE, and TOUS are all French words that have different meanings. Here is a quick guide to help you understand the difference between these four words:
-TOUT (singular) means "all" or "every" and is used when referring to a singular noun.
-TOUS (plural) means "all" or "every" and is used when referring to a plural noun.
-TOUTE (feminine) means "all" or "every" and is used when referring to a feminine noun.
-TOUS (masculine) means "all" or "every" and is used when referring to a masculine noun.
Rules for Pronouns (TOUS/TOUTES)
There are some basic rules to follow when using French pronouns. First, tout and tous are always masculine unless they are followed by a feminine noun, in which case they take on the femininity of the noun. For example, "tous les jours" (every day) is masculine, but "toutes les filles" (all the girls) is feminine.
Second, toute and tous can be both singular and plural, depending on the context. When used as an adjective (before a noun), they agree in gender with the noun they modify and in number with the number of things that are being referred to. For example, "toute une journée" (a whole day) is singular because it refers to one day, while "tous les enfants" (all the children) is plural because it refers to more than one child.
Finally, when used as a pronoun (in place of a noun), tout and tous always take on a plural form regardless of whether they refer to one thing or many things. Therefore, "ils ont mangé tout" would translate to "they ate everything," even if there was only one thing left to eat!
Example Sentences
Tout, tous, toute, and tous are all French words that mean "all." They are used in different ways, depending on whether they are masculine or feminine, singular or plural. Here are some example sentences using each word:
Tout le monde est ici. - Everyone is here.
Tous les enfants sont sortis. - All the children have gone out.
Toutes les filles sont jolies. - All the girls are pretty.
Tous les garçons sont stupides. - All boys are stupid.
Conclusion
To conclude, understanding the nuances of French language articles such as tout, tous, toute and tous can really help you to level up your French speaking skills. It’s an important part of any beginner or intermediate speaker’s education. With the help of these tips for mastering the usage of these words in French, we hope that you now have a better handle on when to use each one. If you take time to practice using them in speech and writing with native speakers or through online courses like this one from FluentU then it won’t be long before they feel like second nature!
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