Breakdown of Ces crevettes sont toutes froides.
être
to be
froid
cold
ce
this (before a noun)
tout
completely
la crevette
the shrimp
Questions & Answers about Ces crevettes sont toutes froides.
Why is toutes feminine and plural if it is an adverb meaning 'completely'?
Adverbs usually don't change form. However, tout has a special rule. When it means 'completely' or 'very', it must agree in gender and number if it comes right before a feminine adjective that starts with a consonant or an aspirated 'h'. Since froides is feminine plural and starts with a consonant, tout becomes toutes.
What would happen if the adjective started with a vowel?
If the feminine adjective starts with a vowel or a mute 'h', the adverb tout stays exactly as it is (invariable). For example, if they were 'completely enormous', you would say Ces crevettes sont tout énormes, not toutes énormes.
How do I know if the 's' at the end of toutes is pronounced here?
Could toutes mean 'all' instead of 'completely' in this sentence?
Learn Ces crevettes sont toutes froides and more in French
All course content and exercises are completely free — no paywalls, no trial periods, no signup needed.
- ✓ Practice with interactive exercises
- ✓ Track your progress with spaced repetition
- ✓Learn at your own pace — completely free