Partitives You already know how to use the indefinite articles un, une, and des. They are used to refer to whole items. When you want to talk about part of something, use partitive articles. —Vous avez de la chance.

Partitives Partitive articles refer to uncountable items or mass nouns. They usually correspond to some or any in English.

Partitives The partitive articles are formed by combining de with the definite articles le, la, l’, and les. Notice that de contracts with le and les. de + le de + la de + l’ de + les du de la de l’ des

Partitives ATTENTION! Unlike English contractions such as don’t or you’re, French contractions are not optional or considered informal.

Partitives —Il y a sans doute du porc là-dedans.

Partitives In English, sometimes the words some and any can be omitted. In French, the partitive must be used. Cet écrivain a du courage. That writer has (some) courage. Elle lui a montré de la compréhension? Did she show her (any) understanding?

Partitives Some nouns can be countable or mass nouns, depending on the context. Compare these sentences. Elle prend un café. but She’s having a (cup of) coffee. Elle prend du café. She’s having some coffee.

Partitives The article des can function as either a plural indefinite or plural partitive article, depending on whether the nouns can be counted. CountableUncountable Nous visiterons des musées à Dakar. We will visit (some) museums in Dakar Nous avons mangé des pâtes. We ate (some) pasta.

Partitives In a negative sentence, all partitive articles become de/d’. Les émigrés n’ont plus de travail. The emigrants no longer have (any) work. La météo n’a pas prédit de pluie. The forecast didn’t predict (any) rain.

Partitives ATTENTION! Remember that des changes to de before an adjective followed by a noun. Ils préfèrent embaucher de jeunes travailleurs. They prefer to hire young workers.

Partitives Use de with most expressions of quantity. On va acheter beaucoup de viande.

Partitives assez de enough beaucoup de a lot of une boîte de a can/box of une bouteille de a bottle of un kilo de a kilogram of un litre de a liter of un paquet de a package of (un) peu de few/(a) little of un tas de a lot of une tasse de a cup of trop de too much of un verre de a glass of Here are some common expressions of quantity:

Partitives In a few exceptions, des is used with expressions of quantity: bien des many la moitié des half of la plupart des most of

Partitives No article is used with quelques (a few) or plusieurs (several). Ils ont mentionné quelques incertitudes. They mentioned a few uncertainties. On utilise plusieurs langues officielles. We use several official languages.

Partitives Note CULTURELLE French-speaking countries around the world use the metric system. Here are some conversions of metric liquid and dry measures: 25 centiliters = cups 1 liter = quarts 500 grams = pounds 1 kilogram = pounds

5.1 ununedude lade l’ded’des Dans une dictature, il n’y a pas _______________ dialogue social. Je bois _______________ eau pendant un examen. Ma mère a peu _______________ incertitudes avant cette élection. _______________ immigrés ont traversé la frontière illégalement. Il faut _______________ courage pour quitter son pays d’origine. Luc a _______________ grands espoirs (hopes) pour l’humanité. © and ® 2011 Vista Higher Learning, Inc

5.1 ununedude lade l’ded’des La diversité est _______________ valeur importante de notre société. La plupart _______________ personnes qui habitent dans ce pays ont un niveau de vie confortable. © and ® 2011 Vista Higher Learning, Inc