Cet with année

Mary Anne B.C1Kwiziq Q&A regular contributor

Cet with année

Usually "cet" goes before a noun that begins with a vowel.

But in this lesson we have "cette année" and "cette epoque."

Evidently, these are exceptions.  Is there an explanation for this?  Are there other exceptions?

Thank you for your help.

Asked 6 years ago
AurélieNative French expert teacher in KwiziqCorrect answer

Bonjour Mary Ann !

The answer is that cet comes before masculine nouns that begin with a vowel or mute h.

For feminine nouns such as année or époque, you use cette.

See our related lesson:
https://progress.lawlessfrench.com/revision/grammar/demonstrative-adjectives-ce-cet-cette-and-ces-mean-this-that-and-these-those

Bonne journée !

Cet with année

Usually "cet" goes before a noun that begins with a vowel.

But in this lesson we have "cette année" and "cette epoque."

Evidently, these are exceptions.  Is there an explanation for this?  Are there other exceptions?

Thank you for your help.

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