- 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 (To the) | De + leDu (of the) |
| Pluriel (Plural) | À + lesAux (To the) | De + lesDes (Of the) |
Exceptions!
- With "aux" and "des", a 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 mixes the pasta with chicken.)
3.
Ils achètent ... jolis vêtements.
(They buy some nice clothes.)
4.
Elle revient ... marché avec un sac.
(She returns 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 go 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 are choosing shoes.)
Exercise 2: Translate and use in a sentence
Instruction: Pick a word, translated and use the word in a sentence or dialogue.
1
des
about the
2
du
from the
3
au
to the
4
aux
to the