French grammar - Demonstrative Pronouns - this one, that one - celui, celle, ceux and celles |
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The demonstrative pronouns celui, celle, ceux & celles replace a specific noun that was previously mentioned or alluded to. -- The equivalent in English is 'one' or 'the one' - as in 'I want this one' or 'The one that I want'. In French, these pronouns must agree with in number and gender with the noun they refer to. Like the demonstrative adjectives, the particles -ci and -là can be used to better specify which 'one'. |
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Il veut celui-ci.
He wants this one. |
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J'ai deux cafés ; celui-ci est décaféiné.
I have two coffees; this one is decaffeinated. |
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C'est une bonne idée, et j'aime aussi celle de Paul.
It's a good idea, and I like Paul's one too. |
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C'est le livre d'histoire, mais où est celui de chimie ?
That is the history book, but where is the chemistry one? |
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Il y a deux livres ; celui-ci est d'Hugo, celui-là est de Balzac.
There are two books; this one is by Hugo, that one by Balzac. |
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Celui-ci ou celui-là ?
This one or that one?
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Cette voiture est celle du médecin.
This car is the doctor's one. |
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Ce roman est trop court, et celui-là est trop long.
This novel is too short, and this one is too long. |
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Entre ces deux robes, je veux celle-ci.
Between these two dresses, I want this one.
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Tu veux celles-ci ou celles-là ?
Do you (familiar) want these (ones here) or those (ones there)? |
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J'ai deux pommes. Qui veut celle-ci ?
I have two apples. Who wants this one? |
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J'aime les deux. Quel est le prix de celui-ci ?
I like both. What is the price of this one?
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Vous ne voulez pas celui-là ? Qu'en est-il de celui-ci ?
You (formal) don't want this one? What about this one?
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Ceux-ci sont chers et ceux-là sont bon marché.
These are expensive and these are cheap.
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When the gender is not clear or not previously specified, French always defaults to the masculine. Hence 
