Question about use of "nous"

Jill W.C1Kwiziq community member

Question about use of "nous"

When we use "nous", is the object always referred to in the singular, such as "notre horloge"?

Asked 3 years ago
CécileNative French expert teacher in KwiziqCorrect answer

Hi Jill, 

For the translation of our biological clocks

to

notre horloge biologique

there was a hint

one clock per person

so that you would use the singular as in the example quoted by Alan.

Bonne Continuation!

Alyssa S.Kwiziq community member

No, because "nous" is plural. 

Chris W.C1 Kwiziq Q&A super contributor

I don't understand your question. Nous is a personal pronoun and notre/nos is a possessive pronoun. They are different entities.

Nous allons à la piscine. -- We are going to the pool.
Nous emportons nos serviettes. -- We are taking our towles.

Maarten K.C1 Kwiziq Q&A super contributor

Notre and nos are the 2 possessive adjectives (not pronouns) associated with nous.

As for the other possessive adjectives, the first letter is determined by the possessor - giving 'n' here - and the rest of the adjective by the possession, which for nous is only affected by whether the possession is singular or plural.

notre horloge, notre maison; nos serviettes, nos vacances 

Notre/nos/votre/vos/leur/leurs = our/your/their (French Possessive Adjectives)

Alan G.C1 Kwiziq Q&A super contributor

Sometimes, when each person has one item, French uses a singular noun where in English we would use a plural. There was a similar question here:

https://progress.lawlessfrench.com/questions/view/ils-sucent-encore-leur-pouce

Jill W. asked:

Question about use of "nous"

When we use "nous", is the object always referred to in the singular, such as "notre horloge"?

Sign in to submit your answer

Don't have an account yet? Join today

Ask a question

Find your French level for FREE

Test your French to the CEFR standard

Find your French level
Getting that for you now...