This lesson is about forming compound nouns -noun + à + verb-infinitive ' without a hyphen (as in the many examples kindly provided in your response). Is the construction in this lesson an alternate way to create a compound noun? What is the grammatical construction or rules, being followed by the examples I gave? I came across them in a french textbook and would like to know where I can find an explanation governing this use. Additional examples are: "Une voiture à vendre", "Un pull à laver". Merci d'avance!
Thanks Cécile but....
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Thanks Cécile but....

Hi Andrea,
Compound nouns make another noun which stands alone in meaning so:
une planche à repasser = an ironing board ( a board for ironing)
une machine à laver ( or un lave-linge) = a washing machine ( a machine for washing clothes)
une machine à sécher le linge ( or un sèche-linge) = a tumble dryer
Une machine à écrire = a typewriter
Des pinces à linge = pegs
The second part which is often a verb in the infinitive denotes the purpose of the item.
In the examples you give -
Une voiture à vendre = a car for sale
à vendre is an attribute of the noun it refers to as in the other examples -
Un pull à laver = a sweater that needs washing
Des travaux à faire = Work to be done
Not the same but difficult to explain, hope this helps!
Thanks Cécile but....
This lesson is about forming compound nouns -noun + à + verb-infinitive ' without a hyphen (as in the many examples kindly provided in your response). Is the construction in this lesson an alternate way to create a compound noun? What is the grammatical construction or rules, being followed by the examples I gave? I came across them in a french textbook and would like to know where I can find an explanation governing this use. Additional examples are: "Une voiture à vendre", "Un pull à laver". Merci d'avance!
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