Why is the article not plural!?

Madeline V.Kwiziq community member

Why is the article not plural!?

In the statement "mon fils a de grandes oreilles" , why is it not "DES grandes oreilles"? Ears is plural, and "de" is the article, and "grand" is following a feminine plural suit.... I've noticed this with other items, mostly body parts, like toes, fingers, eyes. They all use a plural article "les" but when describing them, it turns to "de"

If I said "he had cats" it would be "il a des chats", right? What am I not getting!?



Asked 2 years ago
Maarten K.C1 Kwiziq Q&A super contributor Correct answer
Jim J.C1 Kwiziq Q&A super contributor

Hi Madeline,

Please can you quote which lesson or quiz you are wanting to query?

Madeline V.Kwiziq community member

Thank you! I'm actually asking this after a duolingo lesson that didn't appear to have an explanation, but the lesson Maarten posted seems to explain it! If the adjective comes first, you won't use "des". If the adjective comes after the noun, then you can use "des". I'll just accept it as fact!

Why is the article not plural!?

In the statement "mon fils a de grandes oreilles" , why is it not "DES grandes oreilles"? Ears is plural, and "de" is the article, and "grand" is following a feminine plural suit.... I've noticed this with other items, mostly body parts, like toes, fingers, eyes. They all use a plural article "les" but when describing them, it turns to "de"

If I said "he had cats" it would be "il a des chats", right? What am I not getting!?



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