Changer de + quelque chose

Aashpreet K.A1Kwiziq Q&A regular contributor

Changer de + quelque chose

"Quand elle aura des enfants, elle changera d'avis."

Usually we use 'changer de + noun' as a rule. So if I say '"...elle changera de son avis."  Why is that incorrect? ....to say... "...she will change her opinion/mind."

Asked 9 months ago
CélineNative French expert teacher in KwiziqCorrect answer

Bonjour Aashpreet,

In French, "changer d'avis" is a fixed expression which does not include a possessive adjective as per the English expression. It's important to remember that from one language to the next, expressions can differ in the way they are structured. Using a dictionary can be very helpful especially with fixed expressions.

https://www.wordreference.com/enfr/change%20your%20mind

I hope this is helpful.

Bonne journée !

CélineNative French expert teacher in KwiziqCorrect answer

Bonjour Aashpreet,

Yes, that correct! In French, "changer d'avis" (= to change one's mind) is a fixed expression while "changer (de) [quelque chose]" (= to change [something]) is not ; in which case, you can use either:

Alex changera sa voiture cet été or Alex changera de voiture cet été

I hope this is helpful.

Bonne journée !

Aashpreet K.A1Kwiziq Q&A regular contributor

Thank you for your answer. So, to say - 'Alex will change HIS car this summer.'....

Alex changera sa voiture cet été. ---is incorrect??

AND, it should be - 

 Alex changera de voiture cet été.  --- is correct?

Changer de + quelque chose

"Quand elle aura des enfants, elle changera d'avis."

Usually we use 'changer de + noun' as a rule. So if I say '"...elle changera de son avis."  Why is that incorrect? ....to say... "...she will change her opinion/mind."

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