French grammar:(téléphoner: a verb followed by the preposition 'à')

Babit L.A2Kwiziq community member

French grammar:(téléphoner: a verb followed by the preposition 'à')

Could you help me out with this short French grammar question...

Q-)   Choisissez la bonne réponse:

"Nous téléphonons à ami de Nathalie." 

              Ou                               

"Nous téléphonons à l'ami de Nathalie."

From the above two sentences, which one is correct...also please provide me with the appropriate reason for the correct answer.

Asked 4 years ago
CécileNative French expert teacher in KwiziqCorrect answer

Hi Babit, 

Nous téléphonons à l'ami de Nathalie 

is correct and literally it says-

we are ringing the friend of Nathalie = we are ringing Nathalie's friend 

using the construction the .... of 

as in -

La plume de ma tante est sur le bureau de mon oncle My aunt's pen is on my uncle's desk

the Kwiziq lesson you are looking for is the following one -

https://french.kwiziq.com/revision/grammar/how-to-express-possession-with-de

Hope this helps!

Chris W.C1 Kwiziq Q&A super contributor

Nous téléphonons à l'ami de Nathalie. -- We're calling Natalie's friend. The article is needed.

Babit L. asked:

French grammar:(téléphoner: a verb followed by the preposition 'à')

Could you help me out with this short French grammar question...

Q-)   Choisissez la bonne réponse:

"Nous téléphonons à ami de Nathalie." 

              Ou                               

"Nous téléphonons à l'ami de Nathalie."

From the above two sentences, which one is correct...also please provide me with the appropriate reason for the correct answer.

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