"d'entre eux"

John N.A1Kwiziq community member

"d'entre eux"

often refers to people. example: trois d'entre eux sont interessants as opposed to "trois d'elles". With aucun "d'entre eux" refers to both people and things?
Asked 6 years ago
CécileNative French expert teacher in KwiziqCorrect answer

Hi John,

Yes you can use aucun d'entre eux for things too.

e.g.

Ces bâtiments sont bien, mais aucun d'entre eux n'ont le haut-débit.

(These buildings are good but none of them have broadband.)

Ces modèles de voiture sont bien équipés mais aucun d'entre eux n'ont la clim.

(These car models are well equipped but none of them have air con.)

Hope this helps!

Thalia C.C1Kwiziq Q&A regular contributor

Cecile,

You wrote:

"Ces bâtiments sont bien, mais aucun d'entre eux n'ont le haut-débit.

(These buildings are good but none of them have broadband.)

Ces modèles de voiture sont bien équipés mais aucun d'entre eux n'ont la clim.

(These car models are well equipped but none of them have air con.)"

I'm confused why avoir is conjugated in the plural "ont" following "aucun d'entre eux" in the above examples?  I thought it always agreed with "aucun(e)" in the singular?

CécileNative French expert teacher in Kwiziq

Hi T,

This is a good question as I didn't even realise that I was contradicting the Kwiziq lesson.

In fact both singular or plural are possible and my version seemed more natural to me at the time of writing.

Hope this helps!

John N. asked:

"d'entre eux"

often refers to people. example: trois d'entre eux sont interessants as opposed to "trois d'elles". With aucun "d'entre eux" refers to both people and things?

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