Use of "de" in phrase "les fantômes de peintures précédentes"

HelenaB2Kwiziq community member

Use of "de" in phrase "les fantômes de peintures précédentes"

I used des rather than de in the phrase "the ghosts of previous paintings" since it is used in the context of a plural noun: "les fantômes des (rather than de) peintures précédentes".  Since there is no adjective in front of the noun, why is the singular de used?

Asked 2 years ago
CélineKwiziq team memberCorrect answer

Bonjour Helena,

Chris's answer is correct! However, if you look more closely at the text, the English sentence is 'the ghosts from previous paintings' where 'from' means 'de' -> talking about a source

J'ai reçu une lettre de mon oncle = I received a letter from my uncle

J'ai reçu un appel téléphonique de mon comptable = I got a phone call from my accountant

I hope this is helpful.

Bonne journée !

ChrisC1 Kwiziq Q&A super contributor

Les fantômes de peintures précédentes. -- The ghosts of previous paintings. (general)
Les fantômes des peintures précédentes. -- The ghosts of the previous paintings. (specifc)

Use of "de" in phrase "les fantômes de peintures précédentes"

I used des rather than de in the phrase "the ghosts of previous paintings" since it is used in the context of a plural noun: "les fantômes des (rather than de) peintures précédentes".  Since there is no adjective in front of the noun, why is the singular de used?

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