Could you say "Ils sucent encore le pouce"?

BradA1Kwiziq community member

Could you say "Ils sucent encore le pouce"?

In the lesson "Using le, la, les with body parts and clothing (definite articles)", the definite article is used instead of the possessive.

One of the examples in that lesson:

Ils ont les yeux fermésThey have their eyes closed

Following that example, we'd come up with "Ils sucent encore le pouce" instead of "Ils sucent encore leur pouce".

This question relates to:French lesson "Conjugate semi-regular -cer verbs in the present tense in French (Le Présent)"

Asked 5 years ago

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CécileKwiziq team memberCorrect answer

Hi Brad,

The expression is ,

‘Sucer son pouce’, which uses a possessive adjective.

There are lots of expressions involving parts of the body which will sound strange in French as different from what is said in English.... but I am afraid that’s just how it is.

Like15 years ago

BradA1Kwiziq community member

Thanks, Cécile. Good to know that this specific case is an exception to the general rule.

Like05 years ago

Brad asked:View original

Could you say "Ils sucent encore le pouce"?

In the lesson "Using le, la, les with body parts and clothing (definite articles)", the definite article is used instead of the possessive.

One of the examples in that lesson:

Ils ont les yeux fermésThey have their eyes closed

Following that example, we'd come up with "Ils sucent encore le pouce" instead of "Ils sucent encore leur pouce".

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