Difference between revisions of "Language/French/Grammar/Definite-and-indefinite-articles"
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<div class="pg_page_title">Definite and indefinite articles in French - le, la, les, un, une, des </div> | |||
== What is an article? == | == What is an article? == | ||
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There are definite articles ('''le, la, les''') and indefinite articles ('''un, une, des'''). | There are definite articles ('''le, la, les''') and indefinite articles ('''un, une, des'''). | ||
Examples: | Examples: | ||
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There is also an indefinite plural article: "'''de'''" (this form remains the same for the masculine and the feminine). | There is also an indefinite plural article: "'''de'''" (this form remains the same for the masculine and the feminine). | ||
The indefinite article is used when: | |||
===We talk about a thing or an indeterminate person.=== | |||
Example: | Example: | ||
*Léna est une copine de Lara. (one among several) | *Léna est une copine de Lara. (one among several) | ||
===Something is mentioned for the first time in a text (introductory value).=== | |||
Example: | Example: | ||
*Léna a acheté une glace. | *Léna a acheté une glace. | ||
Info: | Info: | ||
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Example: | Example: | ||
*Léna et Lara ont acheté de bonnes glaces. | *Léna et Lara ont acheté de bonnes glaces. | ||
== When to use the article defined in French? == | == When to use the article defined in French? == | ||
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The definite article is used: | The definite article is used: | ||
===When you designate a thing or a particular person.=== | |||
Example: | Example: | ||
*Léna est la copine de François. | *Léna est la copine de François. | ||
===When referring to a person or thing already identified or when a generalization is made.=== | |||
Example: | Example: | ||
*Elle éteint la lumière. | *Elle éteint la lumière. | ||
===After "aimer, adorer, préférer, détester"=== | |||
Example: | |||
*Elle adore les chevaux. | |||
==How to contract articles and prepositions? == | |||
The definite article and the preposition which precedes it contract and form only one word: | The definite article and the preposition which precedes it contract and form only one word: | ||
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|à | |à | ||
|à + le = au | |à + le = au | ||
|la | |la glace '''au''' chocolat | ||
|- | |- | ||
|à | |à | ||
|à + les = aux | |à + les = aux | ||
|fais | |fais attention '''aux''' enfants | ||
|- | |- | ||
|de | |de | ||
|de + le = du | |de + le = du | ||
| | |parler '''du''' jeu | ||
|- | |- | ||
|de | |de | ||
|de + les = des | |de + les = des | ||
|c’est la | |c’est la table '''des''' enfants | ||
|} | |} | ||
== What is the partitive article? == | == What is the partitive article? == | ||
When referring to an indeterminate quantity taken from a whole, | When referring to an indeterminate quantity taken from a whole, we use the partitive article "du" (masculine), "de la" (female). | ||
we use the partitive article "du" (masculine), "de la" (female). | |||
There is no plural. | There is no plural. | ||
The partitive article is used, to designate: | The partitive article is used, to designate: | ||
=== | ===Non-quantifiable things that can not be counted.=== | ||
Example: | Example: | ||
*Il faut acheter de l'eau et du café. | *Il faut acheter de l'eau et du café. | ||
=== | ===Different sports (with "faire") and musical instruments.=== | ||
Examples: | Examples: | ||
*Il fait du foot. | *Il fait du foot. | ||
*Il joue de la flûte. | *Il joue de la flûte. | ||
==When should not I use an article? == | |||
== When should not I use an article? == | |||
The article is omitted in the following cases: | The article is omitted in the following cases: | ||
=== | ===Names of cities === | ||
Example: | Example: | ||
*Ils habitent à Paris. | *Ils habitent à Paris. | ||
=== | ===Days of the week=== | ||
Example: | Example: | ||
*Nous l’avons vu lundi. | *Nous l’avons vu lundi. | ||
=== | ===Months === | ||
Example: | Example: | ||
*Je suis né en juillet. | *Je suis né en juillet. | ||
=== | ===Constructions of the type <code>en + means of transport</code> === | ||
Example: | Example: | ||
*As-tu voyagé en train ou en voiture ? | *As-tu voyagé en train ou en voiture ? | ||
=== | |||
===Jobs in a general context === | |||
Example: | Example: | ||
*Elle est laborantine. | *Elle est laborantine. | ||
====Exception: to designate a concrete person:==== | |||
*Je connais la laborantine. | *Je connais la laborantine. | ||
a particularity : | ====Exception: to designate a particularity :==== | ||
*C’est une bonne laborantine. | *C’est une bonne laborantine. | ||
=== | |||
===Religions === | |||
Example: | Example: | ||
*Il est catholique. | *Il est catholique. | ||
====Exception: to designate a concrete person:==== | |||
*C’est le catholique qui va tous les jours à l'église. | *C’est le catholique qui va tous les jours à l'église. | ||
a particularity : | ====Exception: to designate a a particularity :==== | ||
*C’est un bon catholique. | *C’est un bon catholique. | ||
If the partitive article is | |||
If the partitive article is necessary, "de" must be used without article in the following cases: | |||
=== with the quantitative data, except "bien", "la plupar", "une partie", "la majorité" and "la moitié"=== | === with the quantitative data, except "bien", "la plupar", "une partie", "la majorité" and "la moitié"=== | ||
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Example: | Example: | ||
*Il n’a plus d'eau dans son verre. | *Il n’a plus d'eau dans son verre. | ||
On the other hand, with some verbs and expressions built with "de", there is no article. | ===On the other hand, with some verbs and expressions built with "de", there is no article.=== | ||
Examples: | Examples: | ||
*J’ai besoin d’argent. | *J’ai besoin d’argent. | ||
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==Sources== | ==Sources== | ||
https://francais.lingolia.com/fr/grammaire/articles | https://francais.lingolia.com/fr/grammaire/articles | ||
==Other Lessons== | |||
* [[Language/French/Grammar/Absolute-use-of-the-superlative|Absolute use of the superlative]] | |||
* [[Language/French/Grammar/Transitive-and-Intransitive-Verbs|Transitive and Intransitive Verbs]] | |||
* [[Language/French/Grammar/How-to-use-«-il-s'agit-de-»-in-French|How to use « il s'agit de » in French]] | |||
* [[Language/French/Grammar/Direct-object-quantifiers-and-«-en-»|Direct object quantifiers and « en »]] | |||
* [[Language/French/Grammar/Agreement-of-the-past-participle-when-using-“avoir”-with-a-preceding-direct-object|Agreement of the past participle when using “avoir” with a preceding direct object]] | |||
* [[Language/French/Grammar/Conjugation-group-3|Conjugation group 3]] | |||
* [[Language/French/Grammar/The-irregular-verb-être|The irregular verb être]] | |||
* [[Language/French/Grammar/Colour-adjective-compounds|Colour adjective compounds]] | |||
* [[Language/French/Grammar/Pronominal-verbs-used-reflexively|Pronominal verbs used reflexively]] | |||
* [[Language/French/Grammar/Meaning-of-alors|Meaning of alors]] | |||
<span links></span> |
Latest revision as of 23:28, 26 March 2023
What is an article?[edit | edit source]
Names are almost always accompanied by an article or another determinant.
This indicates the gender of the name (male or female) and the number (singular or plural).
There are definite articles (le, la, les) and indefinite articles (un, une, des).
Examples:
- Léna est une copine de Lara et la copine de François.
- Léna a acheté une glace. Elle aime beaucoup la glace.
When to use the indefinite article in French?[edit | edit source]
The form of the indefinite article is a masculine singular and a feminine singular.
There is also an indefinite plural article: "de" (this form remains the same for the masculine and the feminine).
The indefinite article is used when:
We talk about a thing or an indeterminate person.[edit | edit source]
Example:
- Léna est une copine de Lara. (one among several)
Something is mentioned for the first time in a text (introductory value).[edit | edit source]
Example:
- Léna a acheté une glace.
Info:
If the name is preceded by an adjective, the plural undefined article des becomes de.
Example:
- Léna et Lara ont acheté de bonnes glaces.
When to use the article defined in French?[edit | edit source]
The form of the definite article is "le" in the masculine singular, "la" in the feminine singular ("l’" when the next word begins with a vowel) and "les" (feminine and masculine).
The definite article is used:
When you designate a thing or a particular person.[edit | edit source]
Example:
- Léna est la copine de François.
When referring to a person or thing already identified or when a generalization is made.[edit | edit source]
Example:
- Elle éteint la lumière.
After "aimer, adorer, préférer, détester"[edit | edit source]
Example:
- Elle adore les chevaux.
How to contract articles and prepositions?[edit | edit source]
The definite article and the preposition which precedes it contract and form only one word:
Preposition | Preposition + article | Example |
---|---|---|
à | à + le = au | la glace au chocolat |
à | à + les = aux | fais attention aux enfants |
de | de + le = du | parler du jeu |
de | de + les = des | c’est la table des enfants |
What is the partitive article?[edit | edit source]
When referring to an indeterminate quantity taken from a whole, we use the partitive article "du" (masculine), "de la" (female).
There is no plural.
The partitive article is used, to designate:
Non-quantifiable things that can not be counted.[edit | edit source]
Example:
- Il faut acheter de l'eau et du café.
Different sports (with "faire") and musical instruments.[edit | edit source]
Examples:
- Il fait du foot.
- Il joue de la flûte.
When should not I use an article?[edit | edit source]
The article is omitted in the following cases:
Names of cities[edit | edit source]
Example:
- Ils habitent à Paris.
Days of the week[edit | edit source]
Example:
- Nous l’avons vu lundi.
Months[edit | edit source]
Example:
- Je suis né en juillet.
Constructions of the type en + means of transport
[edit | edit source]
Example:
- As-tu voyagé en train ou en voiture ?
Jobs in a general context[edit | edit source]
Example:
- Elle est laborantine.
Exception: to designate a concrete person:[edit | edit source]
- Je connais la laborantine.
Exception: to designate a particularity :[edit | edit source]
- C’est une bonne laborantine.
Religions[edit | edit source]
Example:
- Il est catholique.
Exception: to designate a concrete person:[edit | edit source]
- C’est le catholique qui va tous les jours à l'église.
Exception: to designate a a particularity :[edit | edit source]
- C’est un bon catholique.
If the partitive article is necessary, "de" must be used without article in the following cases:
with the quantitative data, except "bien", "la plupar", "une partie", "la majorité" and "la moitié"[edit | edit source]
Example:
- J’ai bu beaucoup de café.
after the negation[edit | edit source]
Example:
- Il n’a plus d'eau dans son verre.
On the other hand, with some verbs and expressions built with "de", there is no article.[edit | edit source]
Examples:
- J’ai besoin d’argent.
- J’ai envie de fraises.
Sources[edit | edit source]
https://francais.lingolia.com/fr/grammaire/articles
Other Lessons[edit | edit source]
- Absolute use of the superlative
- Transitive and Intransitive Verbs
- How to use « il s'agit de » in French
- Direct object quantifiers and « en »
- Agreement of the past participle when using “avoir” with a preceding direct object
- Conjugation group 3
- The irregular verb être
- Colour adjective compounds
- Pronominal verbs used reflexively
- Meaning of alors