Forming the plural of adjectives ending in -al in French

Adjectives ending in -al are regular in the feminine but become -aux in the masculine plural.

The plural form of adjectives ending in -al in French

Look at these examples:

Des ordres généraux sont établis par des règles générales.General orders are established by general rules.

Les bijoux royaux appartiennent aux personnes royales.Royal jewels belong to royal persons.

Il a des amis loyaux et des amies loyales.He has loyal male friends and loyal female friends.

J'aime les personnages principaux, mais pas les intrigues principales.I like the main characters, but not the main plots.

Here is a list of some of the most common ones: 

Adjective Masc. plural Fem. plural
général  généraux générales
principal principaux

principales

normal normaux normales
royal royaux royales
loyal loyaux loyales
médiéval médiévaux médiévales
légal légaux légales

 

ATTENTION: There are many exceptions covered in this lesson Forming the plural of French adjectives ending in -al (exceptions)

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Examples and resources

Il a des amis loyaux et des amies loyales.He has loyal male friends and loyal female friends.
J'aime les personnages principaux, mais pas les intrigues principales.I like the main characters, but not the main plots.
"Plurals in French" by www.frenchspanishonline.com

général


Des ordres généraux sont établis par des règles générales.General orders are established by general rules.

royal


Les bijoux royaux appartiennent aux personnes royales.Royal jewels belong to royal persons.
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