grammar
Les usages de « Tout »: One word, many forms.
The word tout is one of the most versatile tools in French. It can mean "everything" on its own, or it can describe a noun to mean "all" or "whole." Understanding how it shifts from an independent pronoun into an adjective that requires gender and plural agreement is essential for fluid speech.
1. « Tout » as an Indefinite Pronoun (Everything)
When tout stands completely on its own to mean "everything" or "all things," it is unchanging. In this role, it remains masculine singular, acting either as the direct object of an action or as the subject driving the verb.
As an object (placed after the conjugated verb):
« Elle sait tout. » (She knows everything.)
« Il voit tout. » (He sees everything.)
As a subject (driving the verb 'être' or 'aller'):
« Tout est prêt. » (Everything is ready.)
« Tout va bien. » (Everything is going well.)
2. « Tout / Toute / Tous / Toutes » as an Indefinite Adjective (All / Whole)
When tout accompanies a specific noun to modify it (meaning "all of the..." or "the whole..."), it behaves like a normal adjective. It must explicitly agree in gender and number with the noun that directly follows it.
| Form | Agreement Context | Example Sentence |
|---|---|---|
| Tout | Masculine Singular | « Tout le monde comprend. » (Everyone [literally: *all the world*] understands.) |
| Toute | Feminine Singular | « Toute la famille est là. » (The whole family is here.) |
| Tous | Masculine Plural | « Tous mes amis sont invités. » (All my friends are invited.) |
| Toutes | Feminine Plural | « Toutes ces décisions sont bonnes. » (All these decisions are good.) |
Pay extra attention to how you pronounce the masculine plural form tous!
- When it is an adjective modifying a noun (like tous mes amis), the "s" at the end is completely silent (pronounced like "too").
- When it stands alone as a pronoun to mean "everyone/all of them" (e.g., « Ils sont tous là »), the "s" is explicitly pronounced (sounding like "tooss").