Confusion with du, de la, de l', des The partitive articles (du, de la, de l' and des) can be identical in form to the contraction of "de + definite article" when dealing with quantities, adjectives and prepositional phrases. But they are separate elements of grammar? Is this correct?
If so, I've been incorrectly thinking that the partitive articles WERE those contractions in action.
A few questions arise,
1) is it correct that there are three meanings of "des" (not just two)?
- des, the partitive article (and presumably not a contraction of "de les"?)
- des, the indefinite article (not a contraction)
- des, the contraction of a phrase/quantity/adjective involving "...de les (specific plural noun)..."
2) is it correct that there are two meanings of "du" (not just one)?
- du, the partitive article
- du, the contraction of a phrase/quantity/adjective involving "...de le (specific singular masculine noun)..."
...and likewise for de la, de l'?
3) are the partitive articles meant to be thought of as a single grammatical unit and not as a contraction of the preposition "de" + definite article?
For reference, I consulted
https://www.lawlessfrench.com/grammar/de-vs-du-de-la-des-quantity/
https://www.lawlessfrench.com/grammar/partitive-article/
Why is "en" used in this clause in the 4th paragraph:
The partitive articles (du, de la, de l' and des) can be identical in form to the contraction of "de + definite article" when dealing with quantities, adjectives and prepositional phrases. But they are separate elements of grammar? Is this correct?
If so, I've been incorrectly thinking that the partitive articles WERE those contractions in action.
A few questions arise,
1) is it correct that there are three meanings of "des" (not just two)?
- des, the partitive article (and presumably not a contraction of "de les"?)
- des, the indefinite article (not a contraction)
- des, the contraction of a phrase/quantity/adjective involving "...de les (specific plural noun)..."
2) is it correct that there are two meanings of "du" (not just one)?
- du, the partitive article
- du, the contraction of a phrase/quantity/adjective involving "...de le (specific singular masculine noun)..."
...and likewise for de la, de l'?
3) are the partitive articles meant to be thought of as a single grammatical unit and not as a contraction of the preposition "de" + definite article?
For reference, I consulted
https://www.lawlessfrench.com/grammar/de-vs-du-de-la-des-quantity/
https://www.lawlessfrench.com/grammar/partitive-article/
Why is it quarter to seven and not 7:45 PM?
My native French friend (Paris & Bordeaux based) has never heard of “ Être chocolat”. Is this a local regional expression?
Anyone have an opinion on this please ? Is there any ambiguity in French ?
"elle a une collection de chapeaux impressionnante." Surely this should be: "elle a une collection de chapeaux impressionnants."
It is the hats that are impressive, not the collection.
If the collection was impressive, it should have been: Elle a une collection impressionnante de chapeaux, or possibly
Elle a une impressionante collection de chapeaux ( don't think this second one is as good, but it may be ok).
Thanks, Paul..
Can we say je voyagerai autour l’Europe in place of Je ferai le tour de l’Europe?
how do you figure out which one to use in a sentence
I thought you were not supposed to use "ne" with Jusqu'à ce que
Why "de couleur" ? I would have expected "la couleur" or "de la couleur".
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