"of the" versus "of some"
How do you differentiate between "of the" and "of some" in French? Because they seem identical. My understanding is below. Where am I making a mistake? Or is there no way to differentiate?
de le --> du
de les --> des
the bread = le pain
some bread = du pain
the slices = les tranches
some slices = des tranches
I need the bread. = J'ai besoin de le pain. --> J'ai besoin du pain.
I need some bread. = J'ai besoin de du pain. --> J'ai besoin du pain.
I need the slices. = J'ai besoin de les tranches. --> J'ai besoin des tranches.
I need some slices. = J'ai besoin de des tranches. --> J'ai besoin des tranches.
Grammaire Progressive du Français by Clé International is an excellent grammar book.
November 13, 2018
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Note that de du -> de and de des -> de too.
I wrote a bit long article on the subject there:
https://www.italki.com/question/363722
So for your sentences:
- I need some bread. = J'ai besoin de du pain. --> J'ai besoin DE pain.
- I need some slices. = J'ai besoin de des tranches. --> J'ai besoin DE tranches.
As I described in my post, you just add one level of indetermination each time one "de" is inserted, you gain in generality.
- J'ai besoin du pain = I need the bread, the one which is on the table right now.
- Je besoin de pain = I need some bread, any bread will do.
- J'ai besoin des tranches = I need the 5 slices already cut I can see there.
- Je besoin de tranches = I need some slices, I don't know how many yet, but please provide some.
November 13, 2018
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I would say..
'I need (some)..' is like you wrote it, but
'I need the..' would have to be said in a different way, maybe like 'j'ai besoin de ce pain/ces tranches' (using that/those)
:)
November 13, 2018
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T´a besoin de rogner ta barbe? Aux cotés?
November 13, 2018
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