Difference Between Tout, Tous, Toute, and Toutes?

A question that often confuses French learners is: What’s the difference between tout, tous, toute, and toutes? These four words all mean “all” or “every” in English, but their forms and usage change depending on gender and number. Let’s explore when to use each one!

1. Tout (Singular Masculine)

Tout is used with singular masculine nouns. It can mean “all,” “every,” or “the whole.”

• Example 1:
  • Tout le monde est ici.
    (Everyone is here.)

  Here, tout means “everyone” and is used before le monde (the world).

• Example 2:
  • Il a mangé tout le gâteau.
    (He ate the whole cake.)

  Tout refers to le gâteau (the cake), a singular masculine noun, meaning “the whole cake.”

2. Tous (Plural Masculine)

Tous is used with plural masculine nouns or groups of mixed gender. It means “all” or “every.”

• Example 1:
  • Tous les jours, je vais à l’école.
    (Every day, I go to school.)

  Tous modifies les jours (days), which is masculine plural.

• Example 2:
  • Je connais tous les garçons de la classe.
    (I know all the boys in the class.)

  Here, tous refers to les garçons (boys), a plural masculine noun.

3. Toute (Singular Feminine)

Toute is used with singular feminine nouns and also means “all,” “every,” or “the whole.”

• Example 1:
  • Toute la ville était décorée pour Noël.
    (The whole city was decorated for Christmas.)

  Toute refers to la ville (the city), a singular feminine noun, meaning “the whole city.”

• Example 2:
  • Elle a passé toute la journée à étudier.
    (She spent the whole day studying.)

  Here, toute modifies la journée (the day), which is feminine singular.

4. Toutes (Plural Feminine)

Toutes is used with plural feminine nouns and means “all” or “every.”

• Example 1:
  • Toutes les filles sont parties.
    (All the girls have left.)

  Toutes refers to les filles (the girls), a plural feminine noun.

• Example 2:
  • Toutes mes amies aiment voyager.
    (All my friends like to travel.)

  Here, toutes modifies mes amies (my friends), which is feminine plural.

5. Pronunciation Tip:

• Tout (singular masculine) is pronounced as [too], without sounding the final “t.”
• Tous (plural masculine) is pronounced as [toos] when it refers to people but as [too] when it’s used in other contexts.
• Toute (singular feminine) is pronounced as [toot].
• Toutes (plural feminine) is pronounced as [toots], with the final “s” pronounced.

6. Quick Reference Table:

More Examples:

• Tout (masculine singular):
  • Il a mangé tout le chocolat.
    (He ate all the chocolate.)
• Tous (masculine plural):
  • Tous les enfants jouent dans le parc.
    (All the children are playing in the park.)
• Toute (feminine singular):
  • Elle a passé toute la matinée à lire.
    (She spent the whole morning reading.)
• Toutes (feminine plural):
  • Toutes les maisons ici sont jolies.
    (All the houses here are pretty.)