Using partitives and descriptions

andy f.B2Kwiziq community member

Using partitives and descriptions

Pourquoi la phrase avec des cocotiers manque t-Elle les partitifs (avec des cocotiers, du sable), or is it because it is like a dream 'aah, cocotiers, sable banc, cocktails

Asked 2 months ago
CécileKwiziq team memberCorrect answer

Well spotted Andy,

The reason is that in any listings or enumeration of items you will often omit the partitives.

Think of a shopping list, or a menu -

Poulet  rôti, salade verte, fromages, dessert Roast chicken, green salad, cheese, dessert

Pour faire un gâteau il vous faut, farine, œufs, sucre To make a cake, you will need, flour, eggs, sugar

Avant la rentrée, je dois acheter,  crayons, papier, stylos, gomme = Before going back to school , I have to buy pencils, paper, biros, eraser 

Bonne Continuation !

Chris W.C1 Kwiziq Q&A super contributor

The partitive article is used to denote an unspecified quantity like "some". If the focus is entirely on the object itself, you can also omit the partitive altogether.

Using partitives and descriptions

Pourquoi la phrase avec des cocotiers manque t-Elle les partitifs (avec des cocotiers, du sable), or is it because it is like a dream 'aah, cocotiers, sable banc, cocktails

Sign in to submit your answer

Don't have an account yet? Join today

Ask a question

Find your French level for FREE

Test your French to the CEFR standard

Find your French level
Getting that for you now...