toute or toutes

Question

In "nos premières vacances toute seules", why is it "toute" and not "toutes", to go with "seules"?

Accepted Answer

Hi Ian,
The reason why the adverb 'tout' has some interesting non-agreement rules in the case of feminine adjectives is explained in the following Kwiziq lesson which has just been updated to include this.
https://french.kwiziq.com/revision/grammar/tout-tous-and-toute-toutes-all-all-of-them-the-whole-indefinite-pronouns
Also, take a look at the Q&A at the bottom of the lesson as this has been asked already.
Bonne Continuation!

Answer

It's interesting that you don't think it should also agree in number in this case. I have a feeling I've seen the rule defined that way somewhere before, although I don't remember where. However, all the references that I can find now say that it should also agree in number. For example:

https://bescherelle.ca/adverbe-tout/

https://www.dictionnaire-academie.fr/article/A8T0911

http://bdl.oqlf.gouv.qc.ca/bdl/gabarit_bdl.asp?id=2907

Answer

I agree with Alan. 'Toute seules' seems weird to me. I would have thought either invariable ('tout seules') or full agreement ('toutes seules').