"Well all rules have exceptions ,but I think you have the gist of this.
As for "la main droite" etc the reason seems to be that the phrase is so compact and common that it falls into the category of unqualified body parts.
Not…"
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EducatorGeorge Hunt replied to michael rivers's discussion Body parts+adjective requiring possessive adjective
Body parts+adjective requiring possessive adjective
I know body parts are generally preceded by the definite article.But I've heard that when the body part is qualified by an adjective, this rule is flexible.Is it correct to say the definite article is always replaced by a possesive adjective when an adjective qualifies a body part? Elle a haussé ses lourdes epaules I've heard "droite" and "gauche" may be exceptions to the above rule but I'm not sure why.Would this rule also apply when one performs an action on a part of another person's…See More
EducatorGeorge Hunt replied to Crack1's discussion Next year and the next year
"Have you thought of using "l'année" instead of "l'an".
It expresses the on going duration of the year in a similar way to "la journée" as contrasted with"le jour".
Maybe you can find…"
Next year and the next year
HelloNext year will bring peace and prosperity for all of us. THIS MEANS IN 2020.The next year will bring peace and prosperity for all of us. THIS MEANS 365 DAYS FROM TODAY.I want to know the French look at this difference. And your thoughts are welcome.See More
"Hello,
It's not usual to say "l'ancienne chapelle" with "ancienne" = old.
When I hear "l'ancienne chapelle" i understand "ancienne" as "former" = this chapel was a chapel some years or…"
EducatorGeorge Hunt replied to Billy Bosworth's discussion chapelle ancienne?
"I am not familiar with how "ancient" is used.
Is there perhaps something about "chapelles" that predisposes them to us as seeming inhererently ancient?
Perhaps someone else can tell us ,preferably a native speaker or maybe…"
chapelle ancienne?
Ancien (-ne) is one of those adjectives that can go before or after the noun, and thereby have a different meaning. Normally if it precedes the noun its meaning is "former", otherwise it is "ancient/old". I have seen numerous instances where "l'ancienne chapelle" appears to be referring to "the ancient chapelle". Even a French person I asked seemed to agree that this was OK - in the sense of "ancient".Is this an exception to the rule? The chances are that both may apply ie. it is both "former"…See More
EducatorGeorge Hunt replied to Joseph K.'s discussion avoir besoin de, avoir besoin des...?
"There are set expressions like avoir peur de and avoir besoin de.
As explained in the earlier post these can be followed either by de or des depending on the specific sense expressed.
So you can say either j'ai besoin de lunettes or…"
"A similar question:
J'ai besoin de lunettes? Not …des lunettes?
and
J'ai besoin des clés? Not …de clés?"
EducatorGeorge Hunt replied to Dwayne Roberts's discussion Water Glass
"People can lead very ordered lives.They would definitely have a glass for water (especially when laying the table)"
EducatorGeorge Hunt replied to alan gould's discussion apprendre v. enseigner
"Enseigner probably involves a lengthier process of transmitting knowledge ,more like "educate" perhaps.
Or "train" maybe.
Apprendre is more generic,I'd say."
EducatorGeorge Hunt replied to alan gould's discussion the best in the world
"They are both correct but there is clearly a slightly different meaning.
There is rarely such a thing as a "correct" translation.It is all about context and usage."
"my thought is that there's a wine glass cuz it's part of the culture and the glass is specifically designed to facilitate the best experience of drinking wine. i would doubt there's a term for a glass expressly for water. …"
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Forum
Body parts+adjective requiring possessive adjective
Started by michael rivers in French Grammar. Last reply by George Hunt yesterday. 1 Reply 0 Likes
Next year and the next year
Started by Crack1 in French Grammar. Last reply by George Hunt Nov 6. 1 Reply 0 Likes
chapelle ancienne?
Started by Billy Bosworth in French Grammar. Last reply by Chantal Savignat Oct 7. 2 Replies 0 Likes
avoir besoin de, avoir besoin des...?
Started by Joseph K. in French Grammar. Last reply by George Hunt Aug 8. 5 Replies 1 Like
Water Glass
Started by Dwayne Roberts in French Grammar. Last reply by George Hunt Aug 3. 5 Replies 0 Likes
apprendre v. enseigner
Started by alan gould in French Grammar. Last reply by George Hunt Aug 3. 1 Reply 0 Likes
the best in the world
Started by alan gould in French Grammar. Last reply by George Hunt Aug 3. 2 Replies 0 Likes
The way baronesses are made!
Started by LiXiQing in French Grammar. Last reply by alan gould Aug 3. 5 Replies 0 Likes
apprendre v. enseigner
Started by alan gould in French Grammar Aug 3. 0 Replies 1 Like
The French way of saying leave
Started by Crack1 in French Grammar Jul 24. 0 Replies 0 Likes
Correct translation!
Started by Gemma Christina in Translation Help. Last reply by Chantal Savignat Jun 26. 6 Replies 0 Likes
reponse v. riposte
Started by alan gould in French Grammar. Last reply by Chantal Savignat Jun 21. 2 Replies 0 Likes
suite a
Started by alan gould in French Grammar. Last reply by Chantal Savignat Jun 21. 1 Reply 0 Likes
suite a
Started by alan gould in French Grammar. Last reply by George Hunt May 12. 1 Reply 0 Likes
How to write lain down in French
Started by Crack1 in French Grammar. Last reply by George Hunt Mar 27. 1 Reply 0 Likes
Argument dans ma classe de conversation.
Started by Maxim Adams in French Grammar. Last reply by Maxim Adams Nov 18, 2018. 7 Replies 0 Likes
to go and look for vs. to fetch
Started by Billy Bosworth in French Grammar. Last reply by Chantal Savignat Nov 11, 2018. 3 Replies 0 Likes
avoir descendu l'arbre
Started by michael rivers in French Grammar. Last reply by Chantal Savignat Oct 15, 2018. 6 Replies 0 Likes
Why can't I learn?
Started by Jodie in French learning / teaching. Last reply by Chantal Savignat Oct 10, 2018. 4 Replies 0 Likes
How to say live or lived in a country?
Started by Crack1 in French Grammar. Last reply by Crack1 Oct 7, 2018. 6 Replies 0 Likes
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