Tout as Pronoun, Adjective, Adverb

CONTENT
  1. Tous as Indefinite Pronoun
  2. Tout as an Adverb
  3. Tout as an Adjective

Te word tous is often used in French, and it can serve as a pronoun, an adverb, or an adjective. Let's take a look at the way it works in different situations.

Native

Translation

Tous sont venus.

Everyone came.

Tous as Indefinite Pronoun

Rule 1: Tous, toutes as indefinite pronouns refer to people or things that are already known, and means "all" or "everyone." In this case, the -s in tous is spoken.

Native

Translation

Elles étaient toutes là.

They were all there.

Rule 2: If the pronoun tous or toutes is the object in the sentence, it must be referred to using the objec pronoun les:

Native

Translation

Je les attends tous.

I'm waiting for them all.

Nous les avons toutes invitées.

We invited them all.

Rule 3: If a relative sentence is added to the pronoun tout, then we must use the following constructions:

tout ce + relative pronoun (qui/que/dont/où):

Native

Translation

Tout ce que j'ai entendu...

All I've heard...

tous ceux + relative pronoun (qui/que/dont/où):

Native

Translation

Tous ceux qui sont venus...

Everyone who has come...

toutes celles + relative pronoun (qui/que/dont/où)

Native

Translation

Toutes celles que j'ai invitées...

All those I invited...

Tout as an Adverb

Rule 4: As an adverb, tout reinforces other adverbs or adjectives, and in general, it remains invariable. In this case, it can mean "very" or "completely."

Native

Translation

Ils sont tout tristes.

They are very sad.

Exception: the adverb tout is used in a feminine singular or plural form "toute" if it is followed by a word that ends with a consonant or a silent "h."

Native

Translation

Ma fille est tout enervée.

My daughter is very angry.

Ma fille est toute triste.

My daughter is very sad.

Tout as an Adjective

Rule 5: When tout is placed before the noun, it serves as an adjective and means "every” or “each." In that case, it can be used in four different forms: tout, toute, tous, and toutes, according to the number and gender of the noun it modifies.

Native

Translation

Toutes les filles de notre classe ont les cheveux roux.

All girls in our class have red hair.

Quiz

1/3

Translate: Everyone is avoiding me.

0

correct answers.