its in french nyt crossword – All Crossword Answers
Welcome to Answercrossword.com, your ultimate guide to solving even the trickiest crossword clues. On this page, you'll find comprehensive answers and explanations for the clue "its in french nyt crossword", designed to help you complete your puzzle quickly and confidently.
Solutions for "its in french nyt crossword" by Letter Count
2 Letters
SA: A feminine singular possessive adjective in French, meaning 'her' or 'its'. Used before feminine singular nouns.
3 Letters
SON: A masculine singular possessive adjective in French, meaning 'his' or 'its'. Used before masculine singular nouns.
SES: A plural possessive adjective in French, meaning 'their' or 'its' (plural). Used before plural nouns of either gender.
More About "its in french nyt crossword"
The clue "its in french nyt crossword" is a classic example of a foreign language entry frequently seen in the New York Times crossword and many other puzzles. It tests your knowledge of basic French vocabulary, specifically the possessive adjectives that correspond to 'its' in English. Unlike English, where 'its' remains constant regardless of the noun it modifies, French possessive adjectives change to agree in gender and number with the noun they precede, not the possessor.
This means 'its' can be translated as 'SA' if the noun being possessed is feminine and singular (e.g., 'sa voiture' - its car), 'SON' if the noun is masculine and singular (e.g., 'son livre' - its book), or 'SES' if the noun is plural (e.g., 'ses couleurs' - its colors). Crossword constructors often rely on these fundamental grammatical differences to create concise and solvable clues, making them a common pattern to recognize.
Understanding the nuances of French grammar, even at a basic level, can significantly aid in solving such clues. When encountering "its in French," always consider the letter count to narrow down whether the answer is SA, SON, or SES, and if possible, check for intersecting letters that might reveal the gender/number context.
Tips For Your Next Puzzle
- Master Common Foreign Words: Many crosswords, including the NYT, frequently use basic words from French, Spanish, Latin, and German. Familiarize yourself with common articles, pronouns, and prepositions in these languages.
- Pay Attention to Letter Count: The number of letters in the answer is your most crucial hint. For "its in French," knowing it could be 2 (SA) or 3 (SON, SES) immediately helps you eliminate possibilities.
- Look for Intersecting Clues: Sometimes, the letters from other answers will fill in, revealing the specific French word needed. This is especially helpful when differentiating between 'SON' and 'SES', both 3 letters.
- Consider the Context: While not always explicit in the clue itself, understanding that French possessives agree with the *noun possessed* can sometimes help in trickier variations of this clue.
For more advice, visit our page on general crossword strategies.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the common French words for 'its' in crosswords?
The most common French translations for 'its' found in crosswords are 'SA' (feminine singular), 'SON' (masculine singular), and 'SES' (plural).
Why do NYT crosswords often include foreign language clues?
Foreign language clues, especially common words from French, Spanish, or Latin, are a staple in many crosswords, including the NYT. They add variety, test general knowledge, and provide constructors with more fill options. They often target basic vocabulary like pronouns, articles, or simple verbs.
How does French gender affect these 'its' answers?
Unlike English, French nouns have grammatical gender (masculine or feminine). The possessive adjective ('its' in this case) must agree in gender and number with the noun it modifies, not the possessor. So, 'SON' is used before a masculine singular noun, 'SA' before a feminine singular noun, and 'SES' before any plural noun.