C'est la rue la plus petite dans la ville. Why is this wrong?

Question

C'est la rue la plus petite dans la ville. It's a specific road in a specific town so why is dans wrong? Just as it's not wrong in il y a une boulangerie dans la ville? (Your example)

Maarten Kamp · Accepted Answer

This a comparative structure and ‘de la rue/ de la classe’ etc are required. Il y a … is purely descriptive. English often will use ‘in’ instead of ‘of’ with this form of comparative, but French sticks to “ de “.

Chris Wirt · Answer

Just to spell out what Maarten explained:C'est la rue la plus petite de la ville.

Maarten Kamp · Answer

Thanks Chris - I meant to write “ de la ville “ but, oh well, it’s late here !

Jim Jones · Answer

"C'est la rue la plus petite de la ville"Yes it is the prettiest or smallest but not the only street in the town  --  this is why Maarten is right from a comparative point of view.