Difference between revisions of "Language/French/Grammar/Use-of-the-definite-article-with-names-of-countries,-regions,-départements"
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<div | <div class="pg_page_title"> French Grammar - Use of the definite article with names of countries, regions, départements</div> | ||
In French the definite article is normally used with the names of countries, regions and départements, whereas in English it is not: | In French the definite article is normally used with the names of countries, regions and départements, whereas in English it is not: | ||
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*Ramassage de coquillages interdit dans le Calvados | *Ramassage de coquillages interdit dans le Calvados | ||
Shellfish fishing banned in Calvados (a French département) | Shellfish fishing banned in Calvados (a French département) | ||
When en 'to/in' or de 'from' are used with feminine countries or regions (or with masculine countries beginning with a vowel: en Irak), the definite article is omitted: | When en 'to/in' or de 'from' are used with feminine countries or regions (or with masculine countries beginning with a vowel: en Irak), the definite article is omitted: | ||
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*des vacances en Ille-et-Vilaine | *des vacances en Ille-et-Vilaine | ||
holidays in Ille-et-Vilaine | holidays in Ille-et-Vilaine | ||
But with masculine countries, regions and départements, the definite article is retained with à 'to/in', dans 'in' and de 'from': | But with masculine countries, regions and départements, the definite article is retained with à 'to/in', dans 'in' and de 'from': | ||
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*des pommes du Calvados | *des pommes du Calvados | ||
apples from Calvados | apples from Calvados | ||
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Latest revision as of 13:53, 27 March 2023
In French the definite article is normally used with the names of countries, regions and départements, whereas in English it is not:
- La France est un très beau pays
France is a very beautiful country
- Progressivement, la Champagne est devenue terre de rencontre et de conflits
Over time, Champagne (a French region) became a land of meetings and confrontations
- Ramassage de coquillages interdit dans le Calvados
Shellfish fishing banned in Calvados (a French département)
When en 'to/in' or de 'from' are used with feminine countries or regions (or with masculine countries beginning with a vowel: en Irak), the definite article is omitted:
- Nous irons en France l'année prochaine
We shall go to France next year
- des pommes de Normandie
apples from Normandy
- des vacances en Ille-et-Vilaine
holidays in Ille-et-Vilaine
But with masculine countries, regions and départements, the definite article is retained with à 'to/in', dans 'in' and de 'from':
- Les hôtels au Mexique sont d'un très bon niveau
The hotels in Mexico are of a very high standard
- J'ai acheté une maison dans le Finistère
7 have bought a house in Finistère
- des pommes du Calvados
apples from Calvados