In the discussion following several of the lessons, there are often questions like Donna's. And, without being unkind to the wonderful moderators/teachers, in NONE of the answers had I seen a really 'eureka' moment of clarification.
And then I searched THE SITE and came across this amazing lesson!
https://www.lawlessfrench.com/grammar/de-vs-du-de-la-des-verbs/.It is brilliant and clears up so much. I think that lesson should be included as a ' 'highlighted related lesson'' to this one and others like ' avoir peur'.
Additionally, in the lesson quoted above there is coverage of phrases meaning "all/specific/adjectivally modified" nouns.
Two great examples of 'avoir envie' are given.
" Il a envie de bon chocolat. He wants (some) good chocolate."
"Il a envie du bon chocolat que tu m’as donné. He wants the good chocolate that you gave me."
Please add or indicate why NOT a similar distinction for the very common 'avoir besoin'.
You have
"J’ai besoin de bonnes chaussures. I need (some) good shoes."
If I were to say to a store clerk "I need (the) special shoes with the orthopedic lifts" would I say ;
"J’ai besoin des chaussures spéciales avec orthopédie."
Merci! Looking forward to the answer.
