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p.178 Grammaire C: Le choix des articles
a noun used in the
general sense
(look for verbs like aimer and
préférer)
Voici le gâteau. (here is THE cake)
Le gâteau est bon.
Le gâteau est mauvais.
Voici un gateau. (here is a whole cake)
Je mange des haricots verts. (I eat several
whole green beans)
Some, a portion of, a
serving of, a certain
amount of something
Voici du gateau (here is some cake)
J’ai bu du lait (I drank some milk)
Je veux du sel (I want some salt)
The DEFINITE article is used generally after ____________ and _______________.
The PARTITIVE article is often (but not always) used after the following verbs and expressions:
Depending on the context indefinite and definite articles may be used with the above verbs.
Je commande la glace. I am ordering the ice cream (on the menu)
Je commande une glace I am ordering an ice cream (one serving)
Je commande de la glace I am ordering some ice cream
The French do not use the partitive article with nouns that are the subject of a sentence.
Ex. Il y a du lait et de la glace dans le réfrigérateur.
Le lait et la glace sont dans le réfrigérateur.
The partitive article can be used with nouns other than foods!
Ex. J’ai de l’argent I have some money