INDEFINITE ARTICLE

• The 's' in des is not pronounced. If the following word begins with a vowel or a mute 'h', then it is pronounced with a strong sound.
• In plural des must always be used.

Il a acheté un livre.
He has bought a book.

Il y a des livres sur la table.
There are books on the table.

Il habite dans une maison.
He lives in a house.

Il y a des maisons très grandes ici.
There are very big houses here.

DEFINITE ARTICLE

• The articles le and la become l' if the following word begins with a vowel or a mute 'h'. Example: l'homme, l'université.
• The 's' in les is not pronounced. If the following word begins with a vowel or a mute 'h', then it is pronounced with a strong sound.

Le livre est sur la table.
The book is on the table.

Les livres sont sur la table.
The books are on the table.

La maison est très jolie.
The house is very beautiful.

Les maisons dans cette région sont très grandes.
The houses in this region are very big.

CONTRACTIONS WITH PREPOSITIONS à / de

• à + le = au
  Paul va au cinéma.
  
  
• à + les = aux
  Elle donne des chocolats aux enfants.
  
  
• de + le = du
  Paul vient du cinéma.
  
  
• de + les = des
  Colette est le chat des enfants.
  
  
• The rest of combinations are not contracted.

PARTITIVE ARTICLE

• They are used with uncountable nouns.
  They mean a part or a portion of.

Louise a acheté du pain.
Louise has bought bread.

Jean préfère de la bière.
Jean prefers beer.

Les pirates ont trouvé de l'or dans l'île.
The pirates have found gold on the island.

Il commande toujours de l'eau au restaurant.
He always orders water in the restaurant.

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