Partitive Articles

Use the partitive article, which expresses that you want part of a whole (some or any), to ask for an indefinite quantity (something that is not being counted). Before a noun, the partitive is generally expressed by de + the definite article. Note that de + le contract to become du and de + les contract to become des, as shown in Table 1 .

Note the following about the use of the partitive article:

• Although the partitive some or any may be omitted in English, it may not be omitted in French and must be repeated before each noun .

  • Il prend des cèrèales et du lait. (He's having cereal and milk.)

• In a negative sentence, the partitive some or any is expressed by de or d' without the article .

  • Je ne mange jamais de fruits. (I never eat any fruits.)

  • Je n'ai pas d'amis. (I don't have any friends.)

• Before a singular adjective preceding a singular noun, the partitive is expressed with or without the article.

  • C'est de (du) bon gâteau. (That's good cake.)

• Before a plural adjective preceding a plural noun, the partitive is expressed by de alone .

  • Ce sont de bons èlèves. (They are good students.)

• Certain nouns and adverbs of quantity are followed by the partitive article de ( d' before a vowel) .

  Nouns Adverbs un boîte de (a box, can of) assez de (enough) un bol de (a bowl of) beaucoup de (many, much, a lot of) une tasse de (a cup of) peu de (few, a little) un verre de (a glass of) trop de (too many, much) Donnez-moi une tasse de cafè. Give me a cup of coffee.) Il a beaucoup d'amis. (He has a lot of friends.)

• The following nouns and adverbs of quantity are followed by de + definite article:

  • la plupart (most)

  • bien (a good many)

  • la majoritè (the majority)

  • la plus grande partie (the majority)

  • La plupart des gens aiment ce film. (Most people like this movie.)

• The adjectives plusieurs (several) and quelques (some) modify the noun directly .

  • J'adore plusieurs lègumes. (I like several vegetables.)

  • Il achète quelques livres. (He is buying some books.)

• The partitive is not used with sans (without) and ne … ni … ni (neither … nor) .

  • Elle prendra du thè sans citron. (She'll take tea without lemon.)

  • Il ne boit ni cafè ni thè. (He doesn't drink coffee or tea.)

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