Thanks Cécile but....

Andrea N.B2Kwiziq community member

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!

Asked 5 years ago
CécileKwiziq team memberCorrect answer

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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