Question 1

Wait, doesn't the present tense tu form of regular -er verbs usually end in an s? Why is it Donne instead of Donnes?

Accepted Answer

Good eye! Normally, the present tense is tu donnes (you give). However, when giving commands (the imperative mood), regular -er verbs drop that final s for the tu form. So, it becomes just Donne.

Question 2

Could I say Donnez instead of Donne here?

Accepted Answer

Yes, but it changes who you are talking to! Donne is the informal tu form, used for a friend, family member, or child. If you were giving a command to a group of people, or someone you need to be formal with, you would use the vous form and say Donnez ce livre à votre frère.

Question 3

How do I know whether to use ce, cet, or cette for this?

Accepted Answer

You choose based on the gender of the noun that follows it. Since livre (book) is a masculine word, you use ce. If the word was feminine, like pomme (apple), you would use cette. You only use cet for masculine words that start with a vowel or a silent h, like cet ami (this friend).

Question 4

If I am telling a female friend to give the book to her brother, would it still be ton frère?

Accepted Answer

Yes, it would still be ton frère! In French, possessive words like ton, ta, and tes agree with the person or thing being talked about (the brother), not the person who owns them or is related to them. Since frère is masculine, you must use ton, regardless of who you are talking to.

Donne ce livre à ton frère.

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