French Grammar Guide for non-francophones

Tout, toute, tous, toutes

In this section: Description, Questions, Exercises

Description

An Overview of Tout, toute, tous, toutes

The words tout, toute, tous and toutes have three main functions:

a) as an adjective meaning "all" (to describe a noun), e.g.:

  • J'ai lu toute l'histoire.

b) as an adverb meaning "very" (to describe an adjective), e.g.: 

  • Il était tout content.

c) as a pronoun meaning "all of it/them" (to replace a noun), e.g.: 

  • Il a tout mangé.
  • Ils sont tous partis.

The form you used usually depends on the number and gender of the corresponding noun (for the adjective and the pronoun function). This is illustrated in the following table:

Functions Forms Example
masc. sing. tout tout le livre
fem. sing. toute toute la journée
masc. pl. tous tous mes frères
fem. pl. toutes toutes mes soeurs

It should be noted that before feminine adjectives that begin with a vowel or "h muet", one should write tout. However, if the following word begins with a consonant or "h aspiré", write toute (to help with pronunciation). For example,

  • Elle est tout émue.
  • Elle est tout heureuse.

However,

  • Elle est toute contente.
  • Elle est toute honteuse.
Tags: adjectives nouns h muet adverbs
In this section: Description, Questions, Exercises
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