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why is 'du' used for Alana est descendu du train juste a temps?

Julianne Q.B2Kwiziq community member

why is 'du' used for Alana est descendu du train juste a temps?

the instructions prior says 'de' becomes 'du' when followed by le or les - neither of which occurs in this example. is it because train is masculine? and the du train replaces 'de le train'? It's a bit unclear given de l' is used in the example with masculine noun l'avion - 'Aurelie descend de l'avion'. thank you
This question relates to:French lesson "Monter dans, descendre de = To get on, off transportation in French (prepositions)"
Asked 6 years ago
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Chris W.C1 Kwiziq Q&A super contributor Correct answer

Hi Julianne,

Yes, your hunch is correct: it is because "de+le train" turns into "du train".

-- Chris (not a native speaker).

Like06 years ago
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Julianne Q.B2Kwiziq community member
many thanks! This could be better explained with a phrase using descendre du [a male gendered form of transport] that doesnt start with a vowel in the first few examples of the lesson - to add to l'avion and la voiture. 
Like16 years ago
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Julianne Q. asked:

why is 'du' used for Alana est descendu du train juste a temps?

the instructions prior says 'de' becomes 'du' when followed by le or les - neither of which occurs in this example. is it because train is masculine? and the du train replaces 'de le train'? It's a bit unclear given de l' is used in the example with masculine noun l'avion - 'Aurelie descend de l'avion'. thank you

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