How to Use French Partitive Articles: Du, De La, Des

French partitive articles (du, de la, des) can be tricky for English speakers. These words are used to express an unspecified quantity of something. Let's break down their usage with simple explanations and examples.

When to Use Partitive Articles

Partitive articles are used:

1. To indicate an unspecified quantity of something
2. With uncountable nouns
3. When talking about general categories

The Different Forms

• Du - used with masculine singular nouns
• De la - used with feminine singular nouns
• Des - used with plural nouns (both masculine and feminine)

Examples in Context

Du (masculine singular)

• Je veux du pain. (I want some bread.)
• Il boit du lait. (He drinks milk.)

De la (feminine singular)

• Elle mange de la salade. (She eats salad.)
• Nous achetons de la farine. (We buy flour.)

Des (plural)

• Ils ont des amis. (They have friends.)
• Vous achetez des pommes. (You buy apples.)

Special Cases

Before Adjectives

When an adjective comes before a plural noun, use "de" instead of "des":

• J'ai de bons amis. (I have good friends.)
• Elle a de beaux yeux. (She has beautiful eyes.)

Negative Sentences

In negative sentences, partitive articles change to "de":

• Je ne veux pas de pain. (I don't want any bread.)
• Elle n'a pas d'amis. (She doesn't have any friends.)

Practice Makes Perfect

Remember, using partitive articles correctly takes practice. Try to notice them in French texts and conversations, and soon they'll become second nature in your own French speaking and writing.