Learn French Demonstrative Pronouns : celui-ci or celui-là ?

Hello everyone! Today, we are going to talk about pronoms démonstratifs. Demonstrative pronouns allow you to indicate or show a person or an object that has already been mentioned or that can be seen. By using these pronouns, you can avoid repetition.

Definition and Use of Demonstrative Pronouns

Pronoms démonstratifs are words used to indicate or show people or objects. They replace a previously mentioned noun or one that can be seen.

Instead of repeating "ce macaron," you can say celui-ci to replace it. In this case, you can point it out.

Here, we use celui-là to talk about a movie. It has already been mentioned, even if it can't be pointed out.

The Forms of Demonstrative Pronouns

Demonstrative pronouns vary according to the gender and number of the noun they replace. They can be masculine or feminine, singular or plural.

Masculin singulier : celui
Féminin singulier : celle
Masculin pluriel : ceux
Féminin pluriel : celles

Demonstrative Pronouns and Their Follow-ups

Demonstrative pronouns can be followed by different elements to clarify their meaning.

1. Followed by a relative pronoun:

Relative pronouns like "qui", "que", "dont" allow you to specify which object or person you are talking about.

2. Followed by an adverb:

Adverbs "ci" and "là" help distinguish objects that are near or far.

3. Followed by the preposition "de":

The preposition "de" expresses possession.

Alternating Between 'ci' and 'là'

To avoid repetition and clarify the distinction between two objects or people, "ci" and "là" are often alternated.

This alternation avoids repetition and makes the sentence clearer and more natural.

Conclusion

Whether to avoid repetition or to clearly indicate objects and people, pronoms démonstratifs are essential in daily communication. We have explored the different forms of demonstrative pronouns, their specific uses, and how to alternate them for better clarity.

Feel free to practice with the provided exercises to reinforce your understanding. To further deepen your French learning, follow our video courses on Udemy.

Thank you for your attention and bonne continuation in your French learning journey!