FR 604

Forming the Plural of Regular French Nouns

We have already learned to use several nouns in conversation and in writing. However, all of them were singular in form. Examples include: un livre, une chaise, un stylo, and une robe. In English these words mean, respectively: a book, a chair, a pen, and a dress. But what if we want to talk about more than one book or more than one pen? This can be done quite easily in French.

Most French nouns form their plural by adding the letter S. The plural form will usually sound the same as the singular. Nevertheless, the French add the letter S when they write. While the indefinite form of the article is un or une, its plural form is des for both masculine and feminine nouns.
Note the following examples:

Singular and plural nouns in French
 Singular French Nouns  Plural French Nouns 
un livre des livres
une chaise des chaises
un stylo des stylos
une robe des robes

Ready for practice?

What is the plural form of each of the following French nouns?

1 un crayon;
2 une étudiante;
3 une page;
4 un blouson;
5 une classe;
6 un professeur;
7 un ami;
8 une femme;
9 une chaussure;
10 un homme;
11 une jupe;
12 un dictionnaire;
13 une chemise;
14 un camarade;
15 une casquette;
16 un ordinateur;
17 un costume;
18 une porte;
19 une fenêtre;
20 une table

Did you get them all right? To be sure, check your answers in the answer page

When you have mastered the material covered in this module, take the following quiz and mail me your answers. The deadline for sending me your quiz is Friday, August 29. Bon courage!

updated July 12 2003