How to Use "De" Instead of "Des" Before Adjectives in French

French grammar can be tricky, especially when it comes to articles.

One common rule that often confuses learners is when to use "de" instead of "des" before adjectives.

This article will guide you through this important aspect of French grammar, helping you speak and write more accurately.

The Basic Rule

In French, when an adjective comes before a plural noun in a phrase that would normally use "des" (some/any), we replace "des" with "de". This rule applies to both indefinite articles and partitive articles.

Examples in Action

Let's look at some examples to better understand this rule:

1. Without an adjective:

   • J'ai des amis. (I have some friends.)
   • J'achète des livres. (I'm buying some books.)

2. With an adjective before the noun:

   • J'ai de bons amis. (I have some good friends.)
   • J'achète de vieux livres. (I'm buying some old books.)

When to Keep "Des"

It's important to note that "des" remains unchanged in certain situations:

1. When there's no adjective:

   • J'ai des chats. (I have some cats.)

2. When the adjective follows the noun:

   • J'ai des amis sympathiques. (I have some nice friends.)

3. In singular forms:

   • J'ai un bon ami. (I have a good friend.)
   • J'ai de la bonne chance. (I have some good luck.)

Practice Makes Perfect

To help you internalize this rule, here are 10 examples to practice with:

1. J'ai de petites voitures. (I have small cars.)
2. Elle achète de nouvelles chaussures. (She's buying new shoes.)
3. Nous avons de grands projets. (We have big projects.)
4. Ils mangent de délicieux gâteaux. (They're eating delicious cakes.)
5. Tu as de beaux yeux. (You have beautiful eyes.)
6. J'ai vu de vieux films. (I saw old movies.)
7. Nous cherchons de bons restaurants. (We're looking for good restaurants.)
8. Elle a de longues jambes. (She has long legs.)
9. Il y a de jolies fleurs dans le jardin. (There are pretty flowers in the garden.)
10. Nous avons de mauvaises nouvelles. (We have bad news.)

Why This Rule Matters

Understanding this rule will help you sound more natural and fluent in French. It's a subtle difference that native speakers use instinctively, and mastering it will elevate your French language skills.

Formal vs. Informal Usage

While this rule is considered standard in formal French, it's worth noting that in casual conversation, many native speakers might not always follow it strictly.

However, it's still important to learn and use in formal writing and speech.