Expressions of quantity
Key points
- When expressing a quantity of something the word de (or d’ before a vowel) is used instead of du, de l', de la or des.
- These expressions of quantity might be numbers (un million de personnes), measures (un demi-kilo de beurre) or general expressions of quantity (beaucoup de bruit).
When expressing a quantity of something the word de (or d’ before a vowel ) is used instead of du, de l', de la or des. These expressions of quantity might be numbers or measures:
un million de personnes
a million people
une douzaine d’oeufs
a dozen eggs
un demi-kilo de beurre
half a kilo of butter
Or general expressions of quantity:
beaucoup de bruit
a lot of noise
trop de travail
too much work
une bouteille de vin
a bottle of wine
un verre d’eau
a glass of water
moins de sucre
less sugar