"Changer de"

Elijah N.C1Kwiziq community member

"Changer de"

Why is there "de" after "changer"? Just as we see in your example: "Je devrai changer de vêtements" why not "les" or "des"? 
I always wondered about this, and very interested to find out answer (if there is a specific rule, or it's just one more thing we have to cram)

Asked 3 years ago
CécileNative French expert teacher in KwiziqCorrect answer

Hi Elijah,

It is one of those particularities of the Fench language.

You say :

changer de quelque chose 

changer de chemise  = to change shirt 

changer de train = to change train

changer de fournisseur to change supplier

changer de téléphone  = to change telephone

changer de place to swap places  

Hope this helps!

Maarten K.C1 Kwiziq Q&A super contributor

The verb expression here is 'changer de' NOUN; yes, it just has to be learnt. 

There are also other answers to this question below.

https://www.lawlessfrench.com/grammar/verbs-with-de/

Chris W.C1 Kwiziq Q&A super contributor

In English, too, you often say, "I need a change OF clothes" when you want to express that you need a new set of clothes. In French, this concept also applies to other nouns, not just clothes.

"Changer de"

Why is there "de" after "changer"? Just as we see in your example: "Je devrai changer de vêtements" why not "les" or "des"? 
I always wondered about this, and very interested to find out answer (if there is a specific rule, or it's just one more thing we have to cram)

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