Look at these sentences:
Je voudrais autre chose.
Je voudrais quelque chose d'autre.
I would like something else.
Il veut autre chose.
Il veut quelque chose d'autre.
He wants something else.
Elle a choisi autre chose.
Elle a choisi quelque chose d'autre.
She chose something else.
Note that in French, there are two ways to say "something else": autre chose and quelque chose d'autre.
Now look at these questions:
Vous voulez boire quelque chose d'autre ?
Do you want to drink something else?
Do you want to drink anything else?
Vous voulez boire autre chose ?
Do you want to drink something else?
Do you want to drink anything else?
Ont-ils apporté autre chose ?
Ont-ils apporté quelque chose d'autre ?
Have they brought something else?
Note that you also use autre chose / quelque chose d'autre in questions, where they can also mean "anything else".
ATTENTION: in the case of questions, you won't use n'importe quoi, which literally means any thing (doesn't matter what).
See N'importe quoi = Nonsense, anything (indefinite pronouns)
See also the related lesson: Quelqu'un, Quelqu'un d'autre = Someone, Someone else (indefinite pronouns)
Learn more about these related French grammar topics
Examples and resources
Je voudrais autre chose.
Je voudrais quelque chose d'autre.
I would like something else.
Elle a choisi autre chose.
Elle a choisi quelque chose d'autre.
She chose something else.
Ont-ils apporté autre chose ?
Ont-ils apporté quelque chose d'autre ?
Have they brought something else?
Il veut autre chose.
Il veut quelque chose d'autre.
He wants something else.
Vous voulez boire autre chose ?
Do you want to drink something else?
Do you want to drink anything else?
Vous voulez boire quelque chose d'autre ?
Do you want to drink something else?
Do you want to drink anything else?
Q&A Forum 5 questions, 7 answers
I’m sorry . I don’t know I unintendedly submitted the same question 2 times.
Don't have an account yet? Join today
About “ autre chose et quelque chose d’autre”
Bonjour Aurélie et Cécile,
I have 2 questions.
1/ As your explanation, we have 2 different ways of saying the same thing. Thus, why is it just nearly correct when I say:” Ils ont besoin d’occuper leurs jours à autre chose? The right answer in the test is” Ils .... à quelque chose d’autre”.
2/ How about to say autre chose/ quelque chose d’autre in plural?E.g.: I’d like to choose the other things.
Merci beaucoup.
About “ autre chose et quelque chose d’autre”
Bonjour Aurélie et Cécile,
I have 2 questions.
1/ As your explanation, we have 2 different ways of saying the same thing. Thus, why is it just nearly correct when I say:” Ils ont besoin d’occuper leurs jours à autre chose? The right answer in the test is” Ils .... à quelque chose d’autre”.
2/ How about to say autre chose/ quelque chose d’autre in plural?E.g.: I’d like to choose the other things.
Merci beaucoup.
Don't have an account yet? Join today
About “ autre chose and quelque chose d’autre”
Bonjour Aurélie et Cécile,
I have 2 questions.
1/ As your explanation, we have 2 different ways to say about a same thing: something else.Thus , why is it just nearly correct when I say” ils ont besoin d’occuper leurs jours à autre chose.”The right answer in the test is” ils... à quelque chose d’autre.”
It is diffidult for me to unsderstand.
2/ How about to say “autre chose “ in plural? E.g.: I’d like to choose the other things?
Merci beaucoup,
Truc Thanh
Hi Truc Thanh,
If you query relates to a quiz can you re-post it using the 'Report It' button in your Correction Board as it will link directly to the specific quiz you're referring to and will make it easier for us to answer you.
About “ autre chose and quelque chose d’autre”
Bonjour Aurélie et Cécile,
I have 2 questions.
1/ As your explanation, we have 2 different ways to say about a same thing: something else.Thus , why is it just nearly correct when I say” ils ont besoin d’occuper leurs jours à autre chose.”The right answer in the test is” ils... à quelque chose d’autre.”
It is diffidult for me to unsderstand.
2/ How about to say “autre chose “ in plural? E.g.: I’d like to choose the other things?
Merci beaucoup,
Truc Thanh
Don't have an account yet? Join today
Hi F,
Just two different ways of saying the same thing...
Don't have an account yet? Join today
Can I ask you another thing ?
Can I ask you another thing ?
Don't have an account yet? Join today
