Grammar: Articles

Section 1: Definite Articles

 In French, the definite articles are le, la and les.
 Le is used before masculine singular nouns, la before feminine singular nouns.
 Use les before both masculine and feminine plural nouns.
 Unlike English, French uses definite articles even in general statements about a noun (‘I love books’ becomes
‘J’aime les livres’).
 There can be contractions when definite articles are used before vowels or silent ‘h’, for instance l’ami (the
friend).
Section 2: Indefinite Articles
 The indefinite articles in French are un, une and des.
 Un is used before masculine singular nouns, une before feminine singular nouns.

 Use des before both masculine and feminine plural nouns.