de versus des for "en forme de [plural noun]"

Craig B.C1Kwiziq Q&A regular contributor

de versus des for "en forme de [plural noun]"

"Ils sont en forme de crânes." 
Why is it not, "Ils sont en forme des crânes."  IOW why is the partitive singular de for the plural crânes ?

Asked 2 years ago
CécileNative French expert teacher in KwiziqCorrect answer

Hi Craig, 

As Jim says the expression en forme de quelque chose  ( in the shape of something ) normally just uses the preposition  'de' :

 

des glaçons en forme de crânes = ice cubes in the shape of skulls 

des glaçons en forme de papillons = ice cubes in the shape of butterflies 

des glaçons en forme de requins = ice cubes in the shape of sharks

etc.

For singular examples :

un gâteau en forme de cœur = a cake in the shape of a heart 

un gâteau en forme d'île = a cake in the shape of an island 

un gâteau en forme de voiture a cake in the shape of a car

 

Hope this helps!

Jim J.C1 Kwiziq Q&A super contributor

Hi Craig,

The expression is an adjective form:      "en forme de (qch)"

So we have "Ils sont en forme de" les crânes"   --> They give form (shape of) the skulls

The "de" is acting as a preposition.

The reference is to the ice cubes in the text.

This is how I understand it  --  hope it helps.

Jim

de versus des for "en forme de [plural noun]"

"Ils sont en forme de crânes." 
Why is it not, "Ils sont en forme des crânes."  IOW why is the partitive singular de for the plural crânes ?

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