Language/French/Grammar/Typical-use-of-the-indefinite-article
Definitions[edit | edit source]
French Articles[edit | edit source]
French has 3 kinds of articles:
- Definite articles
- Indefinite articles
- Partitive articles
The table below summarizes the different forms:
French Articles | |||
---|---|---|---|
Definite article | Indefinite article | Partitive | |
masculine | le | un | du |
feminine | la | une | de la |
in front of a vowel | l' | un/une | de l' |
plural | les | des | des |
Definite article[edit | edit source]
In French, nouns are almost always preceded by an article or a determiner. This indicates the gender of the noun (masculine or feminine) and its number (singular or plural).
The definite article (articles définis) (le, la, les) goes with a noun whose meaning is completely determined.
They correspond to the English article "the".
Examples:
- sur la table
on the table
- près de la fenêtre
near the window
Lessons : Definite article & Indefinite article
New, countable & concrete nouns[edit | edit source]
You can use the indefinite article to introduce a new, concrete, countable noun (maison, tableau, livre, voiture, etc.):
- Je me suis trouvé une joli propriété en Espagne
I found myself a nice property in Spain
- Voulez-vous admirer un Cézanne?
Do you want to admire a Cézanne?
Countable & concrete entities[edit | edit source]
Another is to describe a general class of countable, concrete entities:
- Normalement une voiture a 4 roues et un vélo en a 2
Normally a car has 4 wheels and a bike 2
- II s'agit d'une erreur classique d'un élève de CM2
This is a classic mistake made by a CM2 student.
In this 'generic' use, the indefinite article is usually interchangeable with a plural definite article:
- Normalement les voitures ont 4 roues et les vélos en ont 2
- Il s'agit d'une erreur classique des élèves de CM2
de + definite article les
Abstract nouns[edit | edit source]
Abstract nouns ("courage, beauté, réalisme, importance" / courage, beauty, realism, importance, etc.) are normally accompanied by the definite article. But when they are modified by an adjective they take an indefinite article.
Compare:
- II admire l'intégrité
He admires integrity
- Il a montré une intégrité exemplaire
He showed an exemplary integrity
- La beauté du lieu nous avait laissé bouche-bée
The beauty of the place left us speechless
- Le château de cette région de la Loire était d'une beauté incroyable
The castle in this region of the Loire was incredibly beautiful
Video: Definite Articles in French[edit | edit source]
Other chapters[edit | edit source]