Plural partitive article

Jim J.C1 Kwiziq Q&A super contributor

Plural partitive article

I sometimes see references to "des" as being a plural partitive article.

This relates to uncountable/mass nouns.    So my query is:-

How is it possible to have a plural uncountable noun? 

and then to try to express "some" of this uncountable/mass noun?


Asked 3 years ago
Jim J.C1 Kwiziq Q&A super contributor Correct answer

This is very difficult for anglophones to accept/appreciate or understand.

However, I believe less so for francophones for whom there are mass nouns that occur in the plural and from which "some" can be expressed.

cendres  --> ashes,   ténèbres --> darkness,   vivres --> provisions,   épinards --> spinach,   pâtes --> pasta.

Plural partitive article

I sometimes see references to "des" as being a plural partitive article.

This relates to uncountable/mass nouns.    So my query is:-

How is it possible to have a plural uncountable noun? 

and then to try to express "some" of this uncountable/mass noun?


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