We are told that partitive articles become de or d' in negative tenses. Yet in Aurélie's Chrismas quiz 'il ne veut que de la bûche' is given as a correct answer.
Please explain.
Partitive articles
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John W.Kwiziq Q&A regular contributor
Partitive articles
This question relates to:French lesson "Du/de la/de l'/des all become de/d' in negative sentences (French Partitive Articles)"
Asked 6 years ago
Hi John,
Although 'ne..que' resembles a negative construction, it does not connote actual negation but rather restriction and does not follow the rules for the substitution of the partitive article in negative constructions. So, 'il ne veut que de la bûche' is perfectly correct.
Hope this helps.
Tom
Chris W. Kwiziq Q&A super contributor
Il ne veut que de la bûche. -- He only wants log-cake.
Il ne veut pas de bûche. -- He doeesn't want log-cake.
Il ne veut pas de bûche. -- He doeesn't want log-cake.
John W.Kwiziq Q&A regular contributor
Hi Tom et Chris
Merci pour ces réponses. Maintenant je comprends.
John
John W. asked:
Partitive articles
We are told that partitive articles become de or d' in negative tenses. Yet in Aurélie's Chrismas quiz 'il ne veut que de la bûche' is given as a correct answer.
Please explain.
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