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'des plus rances' why is it plural

Megan H.C1Kwiziq community member

'des plus rances' why is it plural

Hi

In the this expression: 'mes aisselles, que je trouve bizarrement immenses, émettent une fragrance des plus rances', why is des plus rances expressed as plural.  I would have thought that the object it relates to is 'une fragrance' and not 'mes aisselles'.  I'm guessing that it is plural because it relates to 'mes aisselles', but I would have thought that 'une fragrance' is a closer object.

Thanks

Megan

This question relates to:French dictation exercise "Ouch ouch ouch!"

Dictation exercise B1

Asked 4 years ago
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Alan G.C1 Kwiziq Q&A super contributor Correct answer

 

Literally, "des plus X" means "among the most X [things]". So it does makes sense for it to be plural, even though "fragrance" is singular.

However, according to Grévisse, the adjective can be either singular or plural, depending on whether it's considered as meaning "among the most" or just "very". (You use "des" in both cases, though.)

A fuller explanation is given here: https://tinyurl.com/y22wnzay

 

 

 

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Megan H. asked:View original

'des plus rances' why is it plural

Hi

In the this expression: 'mes aisselles, que je trouve bizarrement immenses, émettent une fragrance des plus rances', why is des plus rances expressed as plural.  I would have thought that the object it relates to is 'une fragrance' and not 'mes aisselles'.  I'm guessing that it is plural because it relates to 'mes aisselles', but I would have thought that 'une fragrance' is a closer object.

Thanks

Megan

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