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French grammar - The plural indefinite article des with adjectives

The plural indefinite article des with adjectives

If the plural indefinite article des is immediately followed by an adjective, it becomes de.

And if the adjective relates to quantity - like plusieurs ('several') or quelques ('a few', 'or some') - the des is removed completely.

-- Except beaucoup which is always beaucoup de

Note also the standard contraction - if de is followed by a noun that starts with a vowel de becomes d' and is attached to the noun.

Examples:
Avez-vous de jeunes amis ?
Do you (formal) have young friends?

desde before the adjective jeunes

J'ai des amis américains.
I have American friends.

des remains as the adjective is after the noun

Elle a de grandes fleurs dans les cheveux.
She has big flowers in her hair.

desde before the adjective grandes

Elle a des fleurs blanches dans les cheveux.
She has white flowers in her hair.

des remains as the adjective is after the noun

Il y a de beaux nuages dans le ciel.
There are beautiful clouds in the sky.

desde before the adjective beaux

Il y a des nuages blancs dans le ciel.
There are white clouds in the sky.

des remains as the adjective is after the noun

Nous avons de vieux pommiers dans le jardin.
We have old apple trees in the garden.

desde before the adjective vieux

Pourquoi y a-t-il de grosses souris dans la maison ?
Why are there large mice in the house?

desde before the adjective grosses

Pourquoi y a-t-il des chaussures sales dans le lit ?
Why are there dirty shoes in the bed?

des remains as the adjective is after the noun

Y a-t-il des problèmes sérieux ?
Are there are serious problems?

des remains as the adjective is after the noun

Il existe des solutions possibles.
There are possible solutions.

des remains as the adjective is after the noun

Il y a plusieurs nuages dans le ciel.
There are several clouds in the sky.

plusieurs replaces des

Il y a quelques œufs dans le réfrigérateur.
There are a few eggs in the refrigerator.

quelques replaces des

Il y a beaucoup de livres sur l'étagère.
There are many books on the shelf.

beaucoup de is an invariant phrase

Tu as beaucoup d'amis.
You (familiar) have many friends.

de + amisd'amis