Ch 18 · Lesson 9French · Chapter 18 · Lesson 9 · Grammar primer
Dernier, prochain, seul, même
After the noun they count from today: , last week. Before it, along a series: , the final week. vs .
The short version
is last week
.
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After the noun, and count from today; before it, they count along a series. is last week, the final week of something. is next week; is the next time.
Dernier, prochain: last week or the final week
Before the noun, and point inside a sequence (the final one, the next one). After it, they point to the calendar, counted from now.
la semaine dernièrelast week
cette semainethis week
la semaine prochainenext week
Timeline from past to future, with now marked.
| Adjective | In a series | On the calendar |
|---|---|---|
- the final week | - last week | |
- the next time | - next week |
.- I saw him last week..- It was the final week of the holidays.?- Shall we meet next week?
Seul, même, certain
Three more that shift, all common.
| Adjective | Before the noun | After the noun |
|---|---|---|
- the only woman | - a woman on her own | |
- the same day | - that very day | |
| certain | - a certain age | - a sure win |
.- She's the only woman in the team..- There's a woman on her own at the table..- He arrived that very day.
Mistakes English speakers make
| Wrong | Right | Why |
|---|---|---|
| | colours go after |
| | for a great man |
| | for last week |
| | for a clean shirt |
| | for my dear friend |
Going further: The default: after the noun, BAGS before and the rest of the guide, when you want them. This lesson does not need them.
Practice
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One question at a time, mixed across the exercises in this lesson. Miss one and it comes back round before the end.
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