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quand faut il mettre deux s ?

**Blog Post: When to Use Double ‘S’ in French**

French orthography can be tricky, especially when it comes to using double ‘s.’ This blog post will guide you through various contexts where double ‘s’ is used, helping you master this aspect of the language.

### 1. Double ‘S’ in Imperative Forms

In the imperative mood, which is used for commands, the second person plural often ends with an ‘s.’ However, double ‘s’ isn’t common here. For example:

– **Parlez** (Speak) – single ‘s’
– **Mangez** (Eat) – single ‘s’

Double ‘s’ in imperative forms is rare and typically not a standard practice in modern French.

### 2. Possessive Pronouns: « Ses » vs. « Ces »

Possessive pronouns indicate ownership, while « ces » is a demonstrative pronoun.

– **Ses** (His/Her/Their) – Possessive
– Example: C’est **ses** livres. (These are his/her/their books.)

– **Ces** (These) – Demonstrative
– Example: **Ces** livres sont à lui. (These books are his.)

### 3. Plurals with Numbers

When using numbers, the rule is straightforward: if the number is less than two, use the singular; two or more, use the plural.

– **1,5 kilomètre** (1.5 kilometers) – Singular
– **2 kilomètres** (2 kilometers) – Plural

### 4. Double Consonants in Plural Forms

In some cases, especially with words ending in a consonant followed by a vowel, the consonant is doubled before adding ‘s’ in the plural form.

– **Chaise** (Chair) – **Chaises** (Chairs)
– **Maison** (House) – **Maisons** (Houses)

This rule helps maintain pronunciation consistency.

### 5. Other Uses of ‘S’

– **Genitive Case**: Using apostrophe ‘s’ for possession.
– Example: **Jean’s voiture** (Jean’s car)

– **Contractions**: In certain contractions, ‘s’ is used.
– Example: **C’est** (It is)

### Conclusion

Understanding when to use double ‘s’ in French involves looking at imperative forms, possessive pronouns, plurals, and contractions. By practicing these rules and paying attention to common mistakes, you’ll become more confident in your French writing and speaking.

Happy learning!