French language Q&A Forum

I was wondering why the use of indefinite articles with descriptive nouns was no longer in use. For example, I learned to say "Je suis une chanteuse." But, a textbook I am using in my class simply says "Je suis chanteuse." First, why is the un or une no longer included and second, is it grammatically correct to say something like "Je suis fille." or "Il est homme."? Much appreciated for any help. Rules have changed since I was a student.

Why is there no preposition "de" after the verb "descend" in the phrase: "Elle descend les escaliers" ?

I listened to this sentence loads of times trying to see if there was any hint of an ellision ( "je serai z-enfin" ). There was not, and thus I concluded that it must have been "serai" not "serais".  Is no ellision used after "serais" ?

In the sentence, "De plus, l'aspect défi de cette initiative permet de déstigmatiser la non-consommation d'alcool...", I don't understand 'l'aspect défi'.  In my dictionary, aspect and défi are both nouns, aspect and challenge respectively.  Can you first translate and then explain?  Thanks.

Why is "celle" the correct answer  to this

 "J'aime ta robe mais je préfère ________ que Laura porte," 

rather than "laquelle"?

Aren't they both pronouns identifying one among others?

I am aware that this has been discussed before but it is clear to me that in certain cases “passer une année” can be used.

For example, on the web page https://acupoffrench.com/french-grammar/an-vs-annee-2/, which also explains when to use “an” or “année”, there is the following example with passer and année used to stress the duration:

“Elle a passé quatre années à chercher un travail.”

So I think it would not hurt to explicitly mention this possibility to use année instead of an to stress the duration. 

For the general case (not just related to passer), I think the rule from “Advanced French Grammar”/Monique L’Huillier section 5.2.1 an/année is clearer than the “time unit” vs “duration” distinction: “an usually follows cardinal numbers, whilst année follows ordinal numbers, or an indefinite or demonstrative adjective”.

This rule does not hold for jour/journée, soir/soirée and matin/matinée and these cases  are treated separately in the book.

This rule is then followed up in the book with “If the year is modified in any way, “année” should be used” with the following examples.

“J’ai vécu à Londres pendant cinq ans.”

”J’ai gardé un très bon souvenir de mes cinq années à Londres.”

Can you please confirm the pronunciation of LE PLUS when it comes in the middle in case of Superlatives - 

W/ VERBS

- Je travaille le plus dans ma famille. (ploo) ?

W/ NOUNS

- J'ai le plus d'amis. [I have the most friends.] (ploo) OR (plooS)?

- J'ai ramassé le plus de feuilles. (ploo) OR (plooS)?

And if it was Comparitive with Noun, then,

- J'ai ramassé plus de feuilles que toi.  (plooS)?

I found this link below, but this only gives the scenario of Superlatives with Verbs & Adjectives but doesn't give the scenario of Superlatives with Nouns.

https://www.lawlessfrench.com/grammar/plus/

As a paying customer of Kwiziq, I wish to be able to have a physical print out of the lessons I want to review.  It's easier for me to read than from the computer screen.....    

Why is "il lui faut de l'aide" - he / she needs some help and "il te faut de l'aide"  - you must help? I am getting very confused with this expression!