French grammar - The plural indefinite article des with adjectives |
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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. |
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Avez-vous de jeunes amis ?
Do you (formal) have young friends? des ⇒ de before the adjective jeunes |
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J'ai des amis américains.
I have American friends. des remains as the adjective is after the noun |
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Elle a de grandes fleurs dans les cheveux.
She has big flowers in her hair. des ⇒ de before the adjective grandes |
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Elle a des fleurs blanches dans les cheveux.
She has white flowers in her hair. des remains as the adjective is after the noun |
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Il y a de beaux nuages dans le ciel.
There are beautiful clouds in the sky. des ⇒ de before the adjective beaux |
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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 |
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Nous avons de vieux pommiers dans le jardin.
We have old apple trees in the garden. des ⇒ de before the adjective vieux |
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Pourquoi y a-t-il de grosses souris dans la maison ?
Why are there large mice in the house? des ⇒ de before the adjective grosses |
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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 |
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Y a-t-il des problèmes sérieux ?
Are there are serious problems? des remains as the adjective is after the noun |
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Il existe des solutions possibles.
There are possible solutions. des remains as the adjective is after the noun |
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Il y a plusieurs nuages dans le ciel.
There are several clouds in the sky. plusieurs replaces des |
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Il y a quelques œufs dans le réfrigérateur.
There are a few eggs in the refrigerator. quelques replaces des |
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Il y a beaucoup de livres sur l'étagère.
There are many books on the shelf. beaucoup de is an invariant phrase |
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Tu as beaucoup d'amis.
You (familiar) have many friends. de + amis ⇒ d'amis |
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