Salut a tous, c'est moi encore!

Claudia A.A2Kwiziq Q&A regular contributor

Salut a tous, c'est moi encore!

How do I know when it is appropriate to say   d'argent  or  de l'argent

diner   or   le diner?

Asked 5 years ago
Chris W.C1 Kwiziq Q&A super contributor Correct answer

Hi Claudia, the usage of the definite article depends on several circumstances. I don't have a general rule handy to tell you. The one where it comes up most frequently is in sitations like this:

Mon voisin gagne beaucoup d'argent. -- My neighbor earns a lot of money.

Moi, je n'ai pas d'argent pour ce luxe. -- I don't have money for that luxury.

Il y a de l'argent à gagner ? -- Is there money to be made?

That's the case of the partitive article. Whenever there is a reference to a quantity (beaucoup in the first sentence, or even "no money" in the second sentence) you omit the definite article. If you are referring to money in general, as in the third example, you use the definite article.

You can read more about this here: https://www.lawlessfrench.com/grammar/partitive-article/

-- Chris.

 

Claudia A.A2Kwiziq Q&A regular contributor

Merci, vous etes tres gentil. Sorry about the accents. The computer is not set up for french yet.

Salut a tous, c'est moi encore!

How do I know when it is appropriate to say   d'argent  or  de l'argent

diner   or   le diner?

Sign in to submit your answer

Don't have an account yet? Join today

Ask a question

Find your French level for FREE

Test your French to the CEFR standard

Find your French level
Thinking...