Articles 2 (Edexcel GCSE French): Revision Notes
Articles 2
Introduction
This topic covers two important uses of French articles: expressing 'some' and saying 'to the'. These are essential for everyday French conversation and frequently appear in GCSE exams.
These article patterns are among the most frequently tested grammar points in GCSE French, so mastering them will significantly improve your exam performance.
How to say 'some' in French
The partitive articles
French uses special articles called partitive articles to express 'some'. These change depending on the gender and number of the noun:
| Masculine | Feminine | Before vowel/silent h | Plural |
|---|---|---|---|
| du | de la | de l' | des |
Examples with translations
| French noun | English | With partitive | English translation |
|---|---|---|---|
| le lait | milk | du lait | some milk |
| la glace | ice cream | de la glace | some ice cream |
| l'eau | water | de l'eau | some water |
| les animaux | animals | des animaux | some animals |
Example sentences:
- Veux-tu du café? (Do you want some coffee?)
- Il mange de la pizza. (He's eating some pizza.)
- Nous buvons de l'eau. (We're drinking some water.)
Important rule: after negatives
After negative expressions, only use de or d' instead of du, de la, or des. This is a common mistake area in exams!
- Je n'ai pas de pain. (I haven't got any bread.)
- Il n'a pas d'œufs. (He hasn't got any eggs.)
Using 'some' and 'any' - French vs English differences
Understanding the differences between French and English usage is crucial for natural-sounding French.
Key differences to remember:
- English often omits 'some' but French always includes the partitive article
- In questions, French uses 'some' where English uses 'any'
Examples:
- Veux-tu du lait ou du café? (Do you want milk or coffee?)
- Avez-vous des boissons? (Have you got any drinks?)
- Avez-vous du pain? (Have you got any bread?)
How to say 'to the' in French
Contracted articles with à
When the preposition à (to/at) combines with definite articles, they contract to form contracted articles:
| Masculine | Feminine | Before vowel/silent h | Plural |
|---|---|---|---|
| au | à la | à l' | aux |
Examples with places:
- au bureau (to the office)
- à la gare (to the station)
- à l'école (to the school)
- aux toilettes (to the toilets)
Example sentences:
- On va au collège. (We go to school.)
- Il vient le vendredi. (He comes on Fridays.)
- On lutte pour l'égalité. (We fight for equality.)
About French article inclusion: Sometimes French includes the article where English wouldn't. This is common with abstract concepts and regular activities - it's just how French naturally expresses these ideas.
Nouns from adjectives
You can create nouns from adjectives by placing le, la, or les before the adjective. This transforms the adjective into a noun referring to people, languages, or concepts.
Capital Letter Rule: When adjectives become nouns, the noun needs a capital letter. This is especially important for nationalities and languages.
Worked Example: Adjective to Noun Transformation
Adjective form:
- Il est anglais (He is English)
- Je suis français(e) (I am French)
Noun form:
- J'aime l'anglais (I like English - the language)
- Je m'entends bien avec les Français (I get on well with French people)
Notice how the adjective anglais becomes the noun l'anglais with a capital letter.
Practice exercises
Exercise 1: Complete with the correct article Fill in the blanks for going to these places:
- _______ lycée (school)
- _______ toilettes (toilets)
- _______ gare (station)
- _______ aéroport (airport)
Answers: 1. au 2. aux 3. à la 4. à l'
Exercise 2: Translate into French
- I want some bread.
- Have you got any milk?
- He hasn't got any water.
- Are you going to the station?
Answers:
- Je veux du pain.
- Avez-vous du lait?
- Il n'a pas d'eau.
- Allez-vous à la gare?
Remember!
Key Points to Remember:
- Partitive articles (du, de la, de l', des) express 'some' and must agree with the noun's gender
- After negatives, only use de or d'
- French uses 'some' where English often doesn't, especially in questions
- Contracted articles (au, à la, à l', aux) are used with the preposition à
- Adjectives become nouns when preceded by definite articles and require capital letters