"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 ?
de versus des for "en forme de [plural noun]"
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Craig B.Kwiziq Q&A regular contributor
de versus des for "en forme de [plural noun]"
Asked 2 years ago
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. 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
Craig B. asked:
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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