A1.2 The Marks of Feminine and Plural Forms

Markers of Feminine

The most common marker of feminine is the addition of an -e at the end of the masculine word.

  • Un ami becomes une amie. Un étudiant → une étudiante, un Français → une Française.
  • Un acteur becomes une actrice. Un facteur → une factrice, un aviateur → une aviatrice.
  • Information, like all words ending in -tion, is feminine: une action, une aviation, une variation, une adoption, etc.

Markers of Plural

The most common markers of plural are -s and -x. Most words form their plural by adding an -s, but there are exceptions and special cases.

  • Un chat becomes des chats.
  • Journal, animal, cheval become journaux, animaux, chevaux.

Exceptions

  • Un œil becomes des yeux.
  • Madame, monsieur become mesdames, messieurs.
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