The qualitative adjective.
1. Formation of the feminine – general rule.
A small boy |
In general, the feminine of a qualitative adjective is formed by adding a silent E to the masculine ending.
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A clear lake limpid |
1. The adjective that ends in the masculine with an E does not change in the feminine.
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A cramped space exiguous |
2. The adjective in –GU takes a diaeresis on the E of the feminine to indicate that the U should be pronounced.
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A regular work
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3. Adjectives in –ER change this ending to ère. |
2. Change of the final consonant.
A man naive A woman naive.
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1. F / VE. Note : brief / brève.
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A harmonious landscape A harmonious poem. |
2. X / SE. Note : sweet è sweet. false / false red / red
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A long story A long narrative. |
3. Adjectives in –G take a U before the silent E to preserve the hard pronunciation of the g.
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A public service A public place. |
4. Adjectives in –C change the c to QUE.
Note : Greek / Greek white / white frank / frank dry / dry
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3. Doubling of the final consonant.
A natural gesture A natural pose. |
1. EL and EIL è ELLE and EILLE before the silent E.
Note : Certain adjectives have two forms in the masculine. These are: beautiful (bel) / beautiful new (nouvel) / new soft (mol) / soft old (vieil) / old
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An ancient painting An ancient dwelling. |
2. ON and EN è ONNE and ENNE before the silent E.
Note : 1. Lapp, Latvian, Nippon
2. benign – malicious
3. Adjectives in –IN, –UN, –AN do not double the N except :
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A large effort A large sum. |
3. S – SSE before the silent E. Note : on purpose è on purpose third / third fresh / fresh smooth / smooth silly / silly.
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A man oldish A woman oldish. |
4. ET and OT è ETTE and OTTE before the silent E.
Note : discreet / discreet anxious / anxious complete / complete plump / plump concrete concrete secret / secret obsolete / obsolete devout / devout idiot / idiot one-armed / one-armed dull / dull simple / has no feminine !
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4. Observations.
My favorite dish My favorite drink. |
1. Special forms: quiet / quiet favorite / favorite Hebrew / Hebrew Andalusian / Andalusian
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A chic hat A chic dress. |
2. The adjectives chic, khaki, angora, grumpy, snobby have only one form for both genders.
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Hair color chestnut A chestnut color. |
3. The adjective chestnut is used only in the masculine form, although the form 'chestnut' (feminine) exists.
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A smiling child A smiling girl . An avenging arm An avenging idea.
An accusing indication An accusing proof.
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4. Adjectives in –EUR form the feminine in –EUSE, in –ESSE or in –RICE. |
A better friend A better friend. |
5. Comparatives in –EUR take an E.
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