Du vin and du thé vs. d'eau and de lai

Question

Hello,
 
Is there is a reason why some words require a 'consolidated' partitive with the definite article (du / de la) and some only require the 'unconsolidated' partitive (de)? Such as "je bois du vin' vs. nous buvons 2 litres d'eau par jour'?
 
I am trying to come up with a little rule to make things easier to learn / remember, but it doesn't seem that it works like that.
 
Thanks,
Alex

Accepted Answer

Hi Alex,
Just to add to what has already been said on the partitives in your second example -
nous buvons 2 litres d'eau par jour = we drink 2 litres of water per day
The 'de'  (of or from) is a preposition and not a partitive here
Je bois du vin de la région de Bourgogne = I drink (some) wine from the Burgundy region.
 
J'ai acheté deux bouteilles d'huile d'olive = I have bought two bottle of olive oil 
I hope this helps!

Answer

Bonjour Alex,You seek a rule? Unfortunately, it is very often not as straightforward as that.You may find it easier to navigate if you can categorise the noun types as concrete, abstract, uncountable and Masculine or Feminine (French grammar - English having three including he, she, it).French grammar requires a definite article in set expressions whereas English uses an indefinite or no article at all. eg.I'un d'eux  --> one of themAu lit  --> in bedAu régime --> on a dietà la maison --> at homeIf I continue with any more examples I will end up trying to write a complete Grammar reference.Try here      -->   https://www.lawlessfrench.com/grammar/articles/I think that it will help you to understand more fully.Bonne continuationJim

Answer

You use the partitive article if you want to say "some", i.e., specifying an indeterminate quantity. If you have a definite quantity (e.g., 2 liters or even "nothing") you don't use the article.

Il y 'a du lait dans le frigo. -- There is (some) milk in the fridge.
Il y'a un litre de lait dans le frigo. -- There is one liter of milk in the fridge.
Il n'y a pas de lait dans le frigo. -- There is no milk in the fridge.

Here are some lessons that address this topic:
https://progress.lawlessfrench.com/revision/glossary/article-type/french-partitive-articles-les-articles-partitifs

Du/de la/de l'/des all become de/d' in negative sentences (French Partitive Articles)