Learn how French contracted articles "au, aux, du, des" combine prepositions "à" and "de" with definite articles "le" and "les." This lesson explains their forms, pronunciation, and usage with examples, helping learners understand essential grammar for talking about places, objects, and people. Also includes key differences compared to English usage.
- When they are used after the prepositions à and de, the articles le and les contract.
- The articles la and l' are never contracted.
| Singulier (Singular) | À + leAu (Singular) | De + leDu (Of) |
| Pluriel (Plural) | À + lesAux (Plural) | De + lesDes (Singular) |
Exceptions!
- With "aux" and "des", the liaison is made with the following word when it begins with a vowel or an "h". Example: "Aux enfants"; "des idées"
- The articles "au" and "aux" are pronounced the same way /o/.
Exercise 1: Les articles contractés : "Au, Aux, Du, Des"
Instruction: Fill in the correct word.
du, au, des, aux
1.
Il mange un plat ... bœuf.
(He is eating a beef dish.)
2.
Elle mélange les pâtes ... poulet.
(She is mixing the chicken pasta.)
3.
Ils achètent ... jolis vêtements.
(They buy nice clothes.)
4.
Elle revient ... marché avec un sac.
(She is coming back from the market with a bag.)
5.
Tu choisis le manteau ... centre commercial ?
(Are you choosing the coat from the shopping centre?)
6.
Nous allons ... magasins samedi matin.
(We are going to the shops on Saturday morning.)
7.
Je prends une grosse bouteille ... frigo.
(I take a big bottle from the fridge.)
8.
Les enfants choisissent ... chaussures.
(The children choose shoes.)
Exercise 2: Multiple Choice
Instruction: Choose the correct solution
1. Je vais ___ supermarché pour acheter du pain et des fruits.
(I go ___ supermarket to buy bread and fruit.)2. Elle prend ___ légumes frais au marché chaque jeudi.
(She buys ___ fresh vegetables at the market every Thursday.)3. Nous comparons les prix ___ fromage à la fromagerie.
(We compare the prices ___ cheese at the cheese shop.)4. Le client choisit ___ poissons frais à la poissonnerie.
(The customer chooses ___ fresh fish at the fish shop.)5. Je parle ___ vendeur pour demander où se trouve la boulangerie.
(I speak ___ seller to ask where the bakery is.)6. Ils vont ___ magasins du centre commercial pour faire les courses.
(They go ___ shops of the mall to do the shopping.)
