Ch 17 · Lesson 10French · Chapter 17 · Lesson 10 · Grammar primer
Ceci, cela, ça
No noun behind them, so they never agree: in writing, in speech. ?, , .
The short version
.
Why?Hide
When there is no noun to replace, only an idea or a situation, French uses the neuter , and . They never agree and never take -ci or -là. and mean the same thing: in speech and messages, in essays and formal letters. is this, and a little formal.
ceci, cela, ça: no noun behind them
When there is no noun to replace, only an idea, a situation or a thing you have not named, French uses the neuter forms. They never change and never take -ci or -là.
| Form | Means | Example |
|---|---|---|
| this (formal) | . - Listen carefully to this. | |
| that (written) | . - That doesn't surprise me. | |
| that (spoken) | . - That doesn't surprise me. |
is worn down for speech, and it is everywhere: ? (How are you?), . (That's right.), . (That annoys me.) The choice is register, not meaning:
- Ça ne change rien.conversation, messages
- Cela ne change rien.essays, formal letters
Mistakes English speakers make
| Wrong | Right | Why |
|---|---|---|
. | . | needs a completion |
? . | ? . | it agrees with |
| | the one of is , never |
| | takes |
- | | the neuter forms take no - or - |
Going further: The four forms and the rest of the guide, when you want them. This lesson does not need them.
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