12.2.4

Position of Adjectives: Changing Meaning

Test yourself

The Position of Adjectives Can Change Their Meaning

Some adjectives change their meaning depending on whether they come before or after a noun.

Illustrative background for Ancien, ancienne - former, oldIllustrative background for Ancien, ancienne - former, old ?? "content

Ancien, ancienne - former, old

  • Notre ancienne maison.
    • Our former (old) house.
  • Notre maison ancienne.
    • Our old (years) house.
Illustrative background for Brave - decent, braveIllustrative background for Brave - decent, brave ?? "content

Brave - decent, brave

  • Le brave homme.
    • The decent man.
  • L'homme brave.
    • The brave man.
Illustrative background for Dernier, dernière - lastIllustrative background for Dernier, dernière - last ?? "content

Dernier, dernière - last

  • Le dernier jour.
    • The last day (of the month).
  • L'année dernière.
    • Last year.
Illustrative background for Propre - own, clean Illustrative background for Propre - own, clean  ?? "content

Propre - own, clean

  • Notre propre appartement.
    • Our own apartment.
  • Notre appartement propre.
    • Our clean apartment.
Illustrative background for Vrai - real, trueIllustrative background for Vrai - real, true ?? "content

Vrai - real, true

  • Un vrai ami.
    • A real friend.
  • L'amour vrai.
    • True love.

Jump to other topics

1The Changing Nature of Family

2The 'cyber-society'

3The Place of Voluntary Work

4Diverse Society

5The Marginalised

6How Criminals Are Treated

7A Culture Proud of its Heritage

8Cinema: the 7th Art Form

9Demonstrations, strikes – who holds the power?

10Politics & Immigration

11Conjugation & Use of Tenses

11.1Present Tense

11.2Perfect Tense

11.3Imperfect Tense

11.4Future Tense

11.5Conditional Tense

11.6Future Perfect Tense

11.7Conditional Perfect Tense

11.8Pluperfect Tense

12Extra Grammar

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