Les articles indéfinis et définis au singulier Talking about one person or thing

La norm Comparisons 4.1 Understanding the nature of language through comparisons

Les questions essentielles How are nouns different in French from English? What are « gender markers »? What are the indefinite artilces in French? What are the definite articles in French?

French Nouns Have a gender – Masculine or Feminine Words that go with nouns indicate their gender These words are called ‘GENDER MARKERS’

‘Un’ et ‘Une’ Indefinite articles = ‘a’ (an) in English Used with non specific people/things: a girl, an exam Are gender markers: Un is used before masculine nouns Une is used before feminine nouns

Copiez la table: Féminin Masculin Une fille Une soeur Une école Un garçon Un frère Un lycée

‘Le’, ‘La’ et ‘L’’ Definite articles = the in English Are gender markers Refers to a definite item: The girl Le is used before masculine nouns La is used before feminine nouns L’ is used before nouns beginning with a vowel or silent ‘h’

Copiez la table: Féminin Masculin La fille La soeur La chaise Le garçon Le frère Le bureau

Before a vowel or silent ‘h’: L’élève L’ami L’amie L’hôtel About 80 % of words ending in “e” are feminine.