How to use ce in French

Introduction to Ce

In French, ce is a demonstrative adjective that means “this” or “that” in English. It is used to refer to a specific noun like for example a book or a chair. There are different forms of ce depending on gender and number of the noun it modifies. See below

Here’s how you use “ce” in French:

• Masculine Singular: “Ce”
  • Example: “Ce livre” (This book)
• Feminine Singular: “Cette”
  • Example: “Cette chaise” (This chair)
• Masculine Plural: “Ces”
  • Example: “Ces hommes” (These men)
• Feminine Plural: “Ces”
  • Example: “Ces femmes” (These women)

Note: Ces is used for both masculine and feminine plural forms.

Examples of Ce in sentences

• Introducing Something:
  • Ce film est intéressant (This film is interesting.)
  • Cette idée me plaît (This idea pleases me.)
• Pointing to Something:
  • Qu’est-ce que c’est? (What is this/that?)
  • Regarde cette peinture. (Look at this painting.)
• Expressing Opinions:
  • Ce restaurant est délicieux (This restaurant is delicious.)
  • Cette musique est ennuyeuse (This music is boring.)
• Referring to Previously Mentioned Items:
  • J’ai une idée. Cette idée pourrait fonctionner (I have an idea. This idea could work.)
• Demonstrative Pronoun:
  • Je veux ce livre (I want this book.)
  • Elle a choisi cette robe (She chose this dress.)

Exception when Ce turns to Cet

When ce is used in combination with a word that begins with a vowel sound or when you don’t pronounce the ‘h’ of the word, ce is modified into cet. The form cet is used specifically to avoid the awkward repetition of vowel sounds that would occur if the regular masculine form ce were used before a word starting with a vowel sound.

For example:

• Cet homme means This man.
• Cet ami means This friend.
• Cet arbre means This tree.

If the following noun does not begin with a vowel sound or a silent “h,” the regular masculine form ce is used instead. For instance:

• Ce livre means This book.
• Ce chien means This dog.

It’s essential to pay attention to the sound that the following noun starts with to determine whether to use ce or cet correctly.