Positional adjective agreement (ci-joint, ci-inclus)

When preparing tax returns or sending accounting files, you will often use ci-joint (attached) and ci-inclus (enclosed). These administrative terms have a unique quirk: they only agree with the noun under certain positional conditions.

Invariable before the noun

When ci-joint or ci-inclus is placed at the very beginning of a sentence, or immediately before a noun and its article, it is invariable. Its spelling does not change, regardless of the noun's gender or number.

Attached is the annual statement of your account.
Ci-joint le relevé annuel de votre compte.
I am sending you the attached supporting document.
Je vous envoie ci-joint le justificatif.
I am sending you the enclosed appendices to the declaration.
Je vous envoie ci-inclus les annexes à la déclaration.

Agreement after the noun

When placed after the noun, ci-joint and ci-inclus act like standard adjectives. They must agree in gender and number with the noun.

The attached supporting documents are necessary for the accounting.
Les justificatifs ci-joints sont nécessaires pour la comptabilité.
The attached invoice confirms the amount to deduct.
La facture ci-jointe confirme le montant à déduire.
You must still pay the enclosed invoices.
Tu dois quand même payer les factures ci-incluses.

Accounting vocabulary

As you handle these documents, you will also need to discuss amounts to deduct and taxable income.

You must deduct this amount from the taxable income.
Tu dois déduire ce montant du revenu imposable.