Prepositional phrases

amy h.A1Kwiziq community member

Prepositional phrases

I just read that the definite article MUST contract if followed by a masculine article, but see that "la boulangerie est près DE l'hôtel" is correct.  Shouldn't it be "la boulangerie est prés DU l'hôtel"? 

Asked 2 weeks ago
Maarten K.C1 Kwiziq Q&A super contributor Correct answer

 

Amy,

have a look at these 2 links that cover the contraction of articles. 

“ de l’…” never contracts, regardless of whether it introduces a masculine or feminine noun. Neither does “ à l’… “ contract.  

( Neither “ du l’… “ as written in your answer, nor “ au l’…. “ can exist in French, as this would effectively reflect double use of the definite article before the noun ).

 https://progress.lawlessfrench.com/revision/glossary/article-type/french-articles-contract-in-some-instances 

Definite articles contract with à and de in French (French Contracted Articles)

 

 

Prepositional phrases

I just read that the definite article MUST contract if followed by a masculine article, but see that "la boulangerie est près DE l'hôtel" is correct.  Shouldn't it be "la boulangerie est prés DU l'hôtel"? 

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