The use of the possessive adjectives with feminine nouns is different in French and in English.
How to use possessive adjectives with feminine nouns in French
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Mon is a possessive adjective that translates to my in English. We have plenty of possessive adjectives in French. 3 times the amount of the ones in English. The reason why we have so many is because they agree with the noun they describe. Which means that they will be masculine, feminine, or plural.
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French possessive adjectives
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Mon ma mes – my
Ton ta tes – your
Son sa ses – his/her/its
Notre notre nos – our
Votre votre vos – your
Leur Leur Leurs – their
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French Possessive Adjectives Quiz (thoughtco.com)
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In most cases, you use the possessive adjectives ma, ta, or sa with a feminine noun (ma valise,
ma petite sœur). See
Son, sa, ses His / her in French
Leur, Leur, Leurs - Their, Their, Their
(French possessive adjectives)
HOWEVER, you need to know two things:
1. The possessive adjective's ending is always determined by the word directly following it.
2. You never use ma, ta, sa in front of a word starting with a vowel or mute h, even if the related noun is feminine: you use mon, ton, son instead, to ease pronunciation.
Here are the different contexts where this rule matters:
mon / ton / son + feminine noun starting with a vowel/mute h
mon ami Thomas et mon amie Sarah - my friend Thomas and my friend Sarah
Mon aventure est une aventure passionnante. My adventure is an exciting adventure.
J'ai une horloge qui est plus grande que ton horloge. I have a clock which is bigger than your clock.
Son opinion est une opinion intéressante. His opinion is an interesting opinion.
When ma, ta, sa is followed directly by a feminine noun starting with a vowel or mute h, it becomes mon, ton, son.
ma / ta / sa + adjective starting with a consonant + feminine noun starting with a vowel/mute h
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C'est ton amie ? - Non, c'est ma petite amie. She is your friend? - No, she is my girlfriend.
Il se souvient de son enfance (f), sa belle enfance. He remembers his childhood, his beautiful childhood.
C'est mon hypothèse (f). - Oui, ta mauvaise hypothèse !That's my hypothesis. - Yes, your bad hypothesis!
If ma, ta, sa is followed directly by an adjective starting with a consonant, even if the related feminine noun starts with a vowel or mute h, it remains ma, ta, sa.
mon / ton / son + adjective starting with a vowel/mute h + feminine noun
J'ai goûté ton excellente tarte aux pommes !I tried your excellent apple tart!
Tu as rencontré mon horrible tante ?Have you met my horrible aunt?
Tu as vu son énorme verrue?Did you see her huge wart?
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If ma, ta, sa is followed directly by an adjective starting with a vowel or mute h, even if the related feminine noun starts with a consonant, it becomes mon, ton, son.
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"Ma" becomes "mon" with feminine nouns starting with a vowel or mute h (French Possessive Adjectives)