when do you use/not use an article after avoir besoin de ? For example why is it j'ai besoin de repos (no article) and j'ai besoin des crayons?

jane b.C1Kwiziq community member

when do you use/not use an article after avoir besoin de ? For example why is it j'ai besoin de repos (no article) and j'ai besoin des crayons?

Asked 3 years ago
Maarten K.C1 Kwiziq Q&A super contributor Correct answer

Jim and Jane

“Avoir besoin de repos” is non-specific/indefinite  “I need (some) rest.” No definite article, de remains unmodified, as there is no contraction or repetition with indefinite/partitive articles. 

“Avoir besoin des crayons” is specific, not general ‘I have need of the crayons” (“J’ai besoin des crayons, qui sont sur la table”, for example). It is the contraction of ‘de les’ to des. Alternatively, I need (some) crayons - “J’ai besoin de crayons”.

Avoir besoin de = To need (French Expressions with avoir)

https://www.frenchtoday.com/blog/french-grammar/french-definite-article/

 

 

Jim J.C1 Kwiziq Q&A super contributor

Hi Jane,

https://www.wordreference.com/fren/avoir%20besoin%20de

Avoir besoin de (qch)     locution verbal or expression

J'ai besoin de repos  --  I have need of rest.   (I need rest)

J'ai besoin des crayons  -- I have need of some crayons where des is an indefinite article referring to an unspecific plural noun (crayons). See correction below.

Hope this helps.

Jim

jane b.C1Kwiziq community member

Merci, Jim.  But why does repos not require an article?  Is it because the meaning of rest is general and the crayons more specific, because repos is an abstract noun and crayon isn't?

For example, what do I do here :

J'ai besoin de l'aide or J'ai besoin d'aide

J'ai besoin de la musique pour me calmer or j'ai besoin de musique pour me calmer

On a besoin de l'exercice/on a besoin d'exercice pour rester en forme

Merci !

Jim J.C1 Kwiziq Q&A super contributor

Yes! On reflection, Maarten is right about the crayons they will be specific. Avoir besoin de les (des) crayons.

Jim

Mark P.C1 Kwiziq Q&A super contributor

Could you say j'ai besoin d'un repos to mean you need a specific rest.. right now.. rather than the general concept of needing rest?

Ned D.C1Kwiziq Q&A regular contributor

J'ai besoin du crayon. = I need the pencil.  J'ai besoin des crayons. = I need the pencils. J'ai besoin d'un crayons. = I need a pencil. J'ai besoin de crayons. = I need pencils.

When the object of the preposition "de", the partitive article is dropped. Why? Because see what you end up with if you keep it: "J'ai besoin de des crayons."  Aaarrgh!

So, "j'ai besoin de repos" because you need some rest (du repos). Hope this wasn't too long an explanation.

when do you use/not use an article after avoir besoin de ? For example why is it j'ai besoin de repos (no article) and j'ai besoin des crayons?

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