AtelierLe journal · French, understood
English

Language

The course

Updated

Cheat sheet

Chacun and chacune: each one, with singular agreement

Edited by Chris Lee · Updated · About the library

Use chacun and chacune for each member of a group. Compare chaque, singular and plural subjects, and possessives, then practise six common traps.

In short

Chacun means “each one”; use chacune for feminine members of a known group. As a subject, either takes a singular verb: Chacun choisit. Chacune a une préférence. If the noun follows directly, use chaque: chaque personne.

Yellow the idea to rememberBlue French to learn

Two women choosing pottery and painting activities in a shared studio.
The participants have chacune choisi une activité. Illustration: Atelier

Chacun · chacune · chaque

1 · 1 · Chaque needs its noun

Chaque réponse names the member. Chacune stands for it once the group is clear.

Chaque réponse est différente. Chacune mérite une explication.Each answer is different. Each one deserves an explanation.

2 · 2 · Gender follows the members

For les réponses, choose chacune. For les avis, choose chacun. The pronoun stays singular.

Les deux réponses sont utiles. Chacune est claire.Both answers are useful. Each one is clear.

Les deux avis sont utiles. Chacun est clair.Both opinions are useful. Each one is clear.

3 · 3 · Chacun as subject takes a singular verb

A plural group after de leaves the head of the subject singular.

Chacune de ces propositions est intéressante.Each of these proposals is interesting.

Chacun de nous a une préférence.Each of us has a preference.

4 · 4 · A plural subject keeps its plural verb

In elles ont chacune, elles remains the subject. Chacune adds the idea of “each”.

Elles ont chacune choisi une activité différente.They have each chosen a different activity.

5 · 5 · Follow the possessor

With chacun as subject, use son, sa or ses. In a nous sentence, notre can express what each of us possesses.

Chacun donne son avis.Everyone gives their opinion.

Nous donnons chacun notre avis.We each give our opinion.

Each person, or the group together?

Two participants, two kinds of decision
FrenchMeaning
Les deux participantes choisissent une seule activité ensemble.They choose one activity together.
Les deux participantes choisissent chacune une activité.Each participant chooses an activity.

The second sentence distributes the choice over the participants. They may still choose the same activity: chacune tells you that each person chooses, while différente would make the difference explicit. English “their” in “each person gives their opinion” leaves the French subject singular.

Question 1No account needed
Replace chaque réponse with a pronoun.

Choose one answer.

Answer and explanation

Chacune est claire.. Chacune stands for a feminine singular member of the group. Chaque needs its noun.

Question 2No account needed
Choose the verb.Chacun de nous ___ une préférence.

Choose one answer.

Answer and explanation

a. The subject is singular chacun. De nous identifies the group and leaves that agreement intact.

Question 3No account needed
Choose the verb with a plural subject.Elles ___ chacune une idée.

Choose one answer.

Answer and explanation

ont. Here elles is the subject, so use ont. Chacune adds individual distribution.

Question 4No account needed
Refer to les propositions.___ est intéressante.

Choose one answer.

Answer and explanation

Chacune. Proposition is feminine. The pronoun refers to each individual proposal.

Question 5No account needed
Give each person their own individual opinion: choose the singular possessive.Chacun donne ___ avis personnel.

Choose one answer.

Answer and explanation

son. Avis is masculine singular here, so the possessive is son: son avis personnel.

Question 6No account needed
Keep the noun after the blank.___ personne a une préférence.

Choose one answer.

Answer and explanation

Chaque. Use chaque directly before a noun. Personne is feminine and takes singular a.

Keep going