Position of 'dernier'

AndreaB2Kwiziq community member

Position of 'dernier'

Dimanche dernier but  le dernier mois,  or dernière fois .  Why does the position of 'dernier' precede  or follow the noun?  Thanks in advance.


Asked 3 years ago
MaartenC1 Kwiziq Q&A super contributor Correct answer

Dernier is one of the adjectives that changes meaning with positioning before (final) or after (previous) the noun. Usage with «fois» is a special case where it can be placed before or after, if the phrase 'la dernière fois' or 'la fois dernière' is not followed by a clause. However, as «la dernière fois» is always correct, with or without a clause following, it is perhaps prudent to use this mostly. Dernier = final/previous (French Adjectives that change meaning according to position)

Position of 'dernier'

Dimanche dernier but  le dernier mois,  or dernière fois .  Why does the position of 'dernier' precede  or follow the noun?  Thanks in advance.


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