tout / toute / tous / toutes

Tout, Toute, Tous, Toutes as Adjective

Level 2

Tout changes its form to match the noun it describes: tout (m.s.), toute (f.s.), tous (m.p.), and toutes (f.p.). It usually comes before the article and the noun.

How It Works

The word tout is one of the most versatile words in French. When it functions as an adjective (or determiner), it must agree with the noun it modifies.

1. Forms and Agreement:

  • Tout: Masculine singular (e.g., tout le livre - the whole book)
  • Toute: Feminine singular (e.g., toute la ville - the whole city)
  • Tous: Masculine plural (e.g., tous les jours - all the days/every day)
  • Toutes: Feminine plural (e.g., toutes les filles - all the girls)

2. Placement:
Unlike most adjectives, tout is placed before other determiners like definite articles, possessives, or demonstratives.
Example: Tous mes amis (All my friends).

3. Pronunciation Note:
In the masculine plural form tous used as an adjective, the final -s is silent ([tu]). It is only pronounced as [tuz] if the next word starts with a vowel (due to liaison).

4. Meaning with vs. without Articles:

  • With an article: Refers to a specific whole or group (toute la journée = the whole day).
  • Without an article: Often used in proverbs or formal writing to mean 'every' or 'any' (tout homme = every man).

Examples (5)

  1. J'ai mangé tout le gâteau.

    I ate the whole cake.

    Word by Word: I have eaten all the cake.

    Here, 'tout' is masculine singular to match 'le gâteau'.

  2. Elle travaille toute la journée.

    She works the whole day.

    Word by Word: She works all the day.

    'Toute' is feminine singular to match 'la journée'.

  3. Tous les étudiants sont ici.

    All the students are here.

    Word by Word: All the students are here.

    'Tous' is masculine plural to match 'les étudiants'. Note that the 's' in 'tous' is silent here.

  4. Toutes mes valises sont prêtes.

    All my suitcases are ready.

    Word by Word: All my suitcases are ready.

    'Toutes' is feminine plural to match 'mes valises'.

  5. À tout prix.

    At any price / At all costs.

    Word by Word: At all price.

    In this fixed expression without an article, 'tout' means 'any' or 'every'.

Common Mistakes

  • Pronouncing the 's' in 'tous' when it is an adjective.

    Tous [tus] les enfants.
    Tous [tu] les enfants.

    When 'tous' is an adjective followed by a noun, the 's' is silent. The 's' is only pronounced when 'tous' is a pronoun (meaning 'everyone' or 'all of them').

  • Using 'tous' with 'le monde' because it refers to many people.

    Tous le monde est là.
    Tout le monde est là.

    Even though 'tout le monde' means 'everyone', the word 'monde' (world) is singular, so you must use the singular 'tout'.

  • Spelling the masculine plural as 'touts'.

    Touts les livres.
    Tous les livres.

    The masculine plural of 'tout' is 'tous'. You remove the 't' and add 's'. 'Touts' is only used as a noun meaning 'wholes'.

How It Connects

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tout / toute / tous / toutesLevel 2Tout, Toute, Tous, Toutes as Adjective

Learn This First

To use 'tout' as an adjective, you need to understand the fundamental concept of adjective agreement in French, as 'tout' changes its form based on the gender and number of the noun. Additionally, since 'tout' usually precedes a definite article (e.g., 'tout le monde', 'toutes les filles'), you must be comfortable with French articles and the placement of adjectives that come before the noun.

Words in This Pattern