Tout, toute, tous, toutes

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:

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.