De and Des - French Language2024-03-28T17:25:23Zhttp://www.forum.french-linguistics.co.uk/forum/topics/de-and-des?feed=yes&xn_auth=nothanks again!tag:www.forum.french-linguistics.co.uk,2013-05-20:3179028:Comment:1036612013-05-20T16:24:59.423ZAnnette Gateshttp://www.forum.french-linguistics.co.uk/profile/AnnetteGates
<p>thanks again!</p>
<p>thanks again!</p> No, not at all. In informal s…tag:www.forum.french-linguistics.co.uk,2013-05-20:3179028:Comment:1038222013-05-20T16:23:41.311ZNeil Coffeyhttp://www.forum.french-linguistics.co.uk/profile/NeilCoffey
<p>No, not at all. In informal situations, you can pretty much just use "des".</p>
<p>No, not at all. In informal situations, you can pretty much just use "des".</p> Thank you both, George and Ne…tag:www.forum.french-linguistics.co.uk,2013-05-20:3179028:Comment:1038172013-05-20T16:05:08.502ZAnnette Gateshttp://www.forum.french-linguistics.co.uk/profile/AnnetteGates
<p>Thank you both, George and Neil. It appears to be a subtle distinction. I guess I won't make too big a fool of myself if I use either in conversation or informal writing.</p>
<p>Thank you both, George and Neil. It appears to be a subtle distinction. I guess I won't make too big a fool of myself if I use either in conversation or informal writing.</p> Hi George/Annette -- either i…tag:www.forum.french-linguistics.co.uk,2013-05-20:3179028:Comment:1037442013-05-20T15:26:05.454ZNeil Coffeyhttp://www.forum.french-linguistics.co.uk/profile/NeilCoffey
<p>Hi George/Annette -- either is possible, it's essentially a question of register.</p>
<p>"de", rather than "des", is usually used before a plural adjective in formal usage, and where you are emphasising that the adjective is being given its 'separate' meaning.</p>
<p>But in everyday informal usage 'des' is generally used as expected.</p>
<p>As I hinted at, 'des' is also used even in formal usage when the adjective and noun form a set expression. So this in principle means you can have a…</p>
<p>Hi George/Annette -- either is possible, it's essentially a question of register.</p>
<p>"de", rather than "des", is usually used before a plural adjective in formal usage, and where you are emphasising that the adjective is being given its 'separate' meaning.</p>
<p>But in everyday informal usage 'des' is generally used as expected.</p>
<p>As I hinted at, 'des' is also used even in formal usage when the adjective and noun form a set expression. So this in principle means you can have a contrast between e.g.:</p>
<p>"des grands magasins" -> "(some) department stores"<br/> "de grands magasins" -> "(some) large stores"</p>
<p>In practice, things aren't always that clear cut (especially in a situation such as "de grands auteurs" vs "des grands auteurs"), and in informal usage "des" tends to prevail anyway.</p>
<p>If you're in doubt, probably the best thing is to Google the particular phrase in question and see how people are using it with "de" vs "des".</p> Elle as des grands pieds …tag:www.forum.french-linguistics.co.uk,2013-05-20:3179028:Comment:1038132013-05-20T15:02:13.134ZGeorge Hunthttp://www.forum.french-linguistics.co.uk/profile/GEORDIEHOUND
<p><span style="text-decoration: line-through;">Elle as des grands pieds</span> Elle <span style="text-decoration: underline;">a</span> de grands pieds.</p>
<p>I was taught that that is the "rule" when you have de + adjective + noun (at least when "de" means "some" ).</p>
<p>But I can see that it is also possible to say "Elle a des grands pieds" and so I can't really say except that I suspect that "Elle <span style="text-decoration: underline;">a</span> de grands pieds" is…</p>
<p><span style="text-decoration: line-through;">Elle as des grands pieds</span> Elle <span style="text-decoration: underline;">a</span> de grands pieds.</p>
<p>I was taught that that is the "rule" when you have de + adjective + noun (at least when "de" means "some" ).</p>
<p>But I can see that it is also possible to say "Elle a des grands pieds" and so I can't really say except that I suspect that "Elle <span style="text-decoration: underline;">a</span> de grands pieds" is more usual .</p>