Partitive: Difference between revisions
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The partitive refers to the selection of a part/quantity out of a group/amount. It is used for example in [[Estonian language|Estonian]] (the third case), in [[Latin language|Latin]], [[German language|German]] and [[Russian language|Russian]], expressed by the [[genitive case]], and in [[French language|French]], expressed with the preposition ''de'' (and its contracted forms). |
The partitive refers to the selection of a part/quantity out of a group/amount. It is used for example in [[Estonian language|Estonian]] (the third case), in [[Latin language|Latin]], [[German language|German]] and [[Russian language|Russian]], expressed by the [[genitive case]], and in [[French language|French]], expressed with the preposition ''de'' (and its contracted forms). |
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It must be noted that the literal translation of the French "de" would rather be "out of", because something is taken ''out of'' or ''from'' a larger a amount of countable things. The English "of", however, can also denote a standalone amount: |
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''There is a tray on the table with 500 grams of oranges''. (this is '''not''' a partitive, because there is no [[superset]]) |
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Examples (with the partitive marked in italics): |
Examples (with the partitive marked in italics): |
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*the youngest ''of the children'' |
*the youngest ''of the children'' |
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*a glass ''of wine''. |
*a glass ''of wine''. |
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Example in French: |
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Elle achetait 500 grammes des pommes de terre au marché. |
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("She bought 500 grams of [literally: "out of the"] potatoes on the market.") |
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[[Category:Grammar]] |
[[Category:Grammar]] |
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Revision as of 04:12, 29 January 2009
The partitive can refer to several things:
- Partitive case
- partitive meaning of noun phrases
The partitive refers to the selection of a part/quantity out of a group/amount. It is used for example in Estonian (the third case), in Latin, German and Russian, expressed by the genitive case, and in French, expressed with the preposition de (and its contracted forms). It must be noted that the literal translation of the French "de" would rather be "out of", because something is taken out of or from a larger a amount of countable things. The English "of", however, can also denote a standalone amount:
There is a tray on the table with 500 grams of oranges. (this is not a partitive, because there is no superset)
Examples (with the partitive marked in italics):
- many of my friends
- the youngest of the children
- a glass of wine.
Example in French: Elle achetait 500 grammes des pommes de terre au marché. ("She bought 500 grams of [literally: "out of the"] potatoes on the market.")
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