Compound adjectives — agreement

Compound adjectives — agreement means “In a compound adjective, if both parts are adjectives both agree; if the first part modifies the second (adverb or noun-like), it stays invariable.”. When both halves are true adjectives, both take the plural/feminine mark: des enfants sourds-muets. Formation: adj. + adj. → les deux s'accordent ; adj./adv. modifiant + adj. → 1re partie invariable

In a compound adjective, if both parts are adjectives both agree; if the first part modifies the second (adverb or noun-like), it stays invariable.

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Formation

adj. + adj. → les deux s'accordent ; adj./adv. modifiant + adj. → 1re partie invariable

Explanation

When both halves are true adjectives, both take the plural/feminine mark: des enfants sourds-muets. When the first half is an adverb or acts like one, only the second half agrees: des personnes bien-pensantes, des bébés mort-nés. Colour compounds are invariable throughout.

Examples

Cette école accueille des enfants sourds-muets.
This school takes in deaf-mute children.
Des personnes bien-pensantes ont critiqué le film.
Right-thinking (conformist) people criticized the film.

FAQ

Compound adjectives — agreement — what does it mean and how is it used?

In a compound adjective, if both parts are adjectives both agree; if the first part modifies the second (adverb or noun-like), it stays invariable.. When both halves are true adjectives, both take the plural/feminine mark: des enfants sourds-muets. When the first half is an adverb or acts like one, only the second half agrees: des personnes bien-pensantes, des bébés mort-nés. Colour compounds are invariable throughout.

Compound adjectives — agreement — how do you form it?

adj. + adj. → les deux s'accordent ; adj./adv. modifiant + adj. → 1re partie invariable

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