Le or La

Is that French noun masculine or feminine?

Do you say LE or LA? MON or MA? BLANC or BLANCHE? One of the major problems in studying French is learning and remembering the genders of nouns. Because all articles, pronouns and adjectives must agree with their noun, it is absolutely essential to get the gender right.

Most French grammars outline a few basic rules, but insist that the only satisfactory way to avoid mistakes is by memorising the gender when you learn each word.

There is no need for this. Most of the French nouns you are likely to use conform to simple rules, or are easily remembered exceptions. There is one tricky area, however, but in general the rules will enable you to speak the language with more confidence and fluency.

The author has analysed quite complicated articles written in French and found that over ninety per cent of the nouns used were covered by the rules provided here. That is proof enough that this information is worth having.

The rules are laid out as simply as possible, and you are given Key words that will help you to remember each rule. There are only 24 of them – fewer than the letters of the alphabet.

This little book is very popular among students, and intriguingly among native French people many of whom are teaching their language in English-speaking institutions.