Place of Adjectives - Today’s French

La place des adjectifs - Le français d’aujourd’hui

Part of 5 minutes of French a Day | French Adjectives

Before or After the Noun - A Different meaning

I’d like to highlight these common adjectives that change meaning according to where they are in the sentence, before or after the noun. As a general rule, the meaning is more metaphorical when the adjective is in front of the noun, and the meaning is more literal when the adjective comes after the noun.

More metaphorical

1. une grande dame = a great woman
2. un pauvre homme = an unfortunate man

More literal

1. une dame grande = a tall woman
2. un homme pauvre = a poor man

Further your French - Allez plus Loin

à grands pas - French expression

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