If I want to say I eat only apples, is it: Je ne mange que les pommes.

Question

Would this also mean I only eat apples?

Accepted Answer

Bonjour Gurmeet !When using the restrictive ne ... que in French, note that ne will always be placed before the verb, and que after, either just after, or in front of a specific restricted element further in the sentence.So in the case of "Je ne mange que des pommes.", the current position of "ne ... que" is the only correct option here :)Here's a link to the related lesson:https://french.kwiziq.com/revision/grammar/how-to-use-restrictive-ne-que-with-simple-tenses-to-express-only-negative-expressionsI hope that's helpful!À bientôt !

Answer

Bonjour Gurmeet,
Let's have a look at this phrase:
«Je ne mange que des pommes»
Des pommes represents a a vague or unspecified plural quantity (des pommes), hence the use of «des» instead of «les».  «Les» is the definite article and typically is not used to express «some».
J'espère que ma réponse vous aiderait,.
bonne chance