Language/French/Grammar/Typical-use-of-the-definite-article
[CHANGED]
To go with nouns which are already known from the context[edit | edit source]
One of the uses of the article defined in French is similar to its use in English: to accompany names already known in the context:
- Achetez une nouvelle Opel Corsa. L'Opel Corsa vous va!
Buy a new Opel Corsa. The Opel Corsa fits you!
- Elle a laissé dans sa chambre le livre qu'elle a acheté la semaine dernière
She left the book she bought last week in her room
A pretty good guide to this usage is: if English uses a definite article, use one in French.
Overall class of phenomena, a one of a unique phenomenon or an abstract quality[edit | edit source]
A 2nd utilization of the definite article is to refer to an overall class of phenomena, a one of a unique phenomenon or an abstract quality:
- Les chats sont très soigneux de nature
Cats are very careful by nature
- Les médecins pensent que le variant Delta est présent dans la région
Doctors believe Delta variant is present in area
- La jungle est un endroit où il est dangereux de se promener seul
The jungle is a dangerous place to walk alone
- La peur de prendre l'avion l'empêchera d'accepter ce poste de commercial international
Fear of flying will prevent him from accepting this international sales position.
This is different from English which frequently doesn't use any article when an overall class or an abstract quality is demonstrated:
- Cats are very careful by nature
- Fear of flying will prevent him from accepting this international sales position.
⚠ The definite article is obligatory in French in these cases.
Other chapters[edit | edit source]