"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.

Elijah N. asked:

"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)

Sign in to submit your answer

Don't have an account yet? Join today

Ask a question

Find your French level for FREE

Test your French to the CEFR standard

Find your French level
Getting that for you now...