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Je choisis la trottinette au lieu de la voiture.

Je choisis la trottinette au lieu de la voiture.
I choose the kick-scooter instead of the car.
From Lesson 233:Alternatives (au lieu de)·French

Breakdown of Je choisis la trottinette au lieu de la voiture.

je
I
la voiture
the car
choisir
to choose
au lieu de
instead of
la trottinette
the kick-scooter

Questions & Answers about Je choisis la trottinette au lieu de la voiture.

Why do we need la in au lieu de la voiture? Doesn't de usually mean we drop the article?
In French, you still need the definite article (la, le, or les) after au lieu de when referring to a specific noun or a general concept. You only drop the article after de in expressions of quantity (like beaucoup de) or when it forms an adjective phrase. So here, it must be au lieu de la voiture.
Could I use an infinitive verb after au lieu de in this sentence instead of a noun?
Yes! The expression au lieu de can be followed by a noun or an infinitive verb. If you wanted to say 'instead of taking the car', you would say au lieu de prendre la voiture. The de links directly to the infinitive verb.
What kind of scooter does la trottinette refer to?
La trottinette specifically means a kick-scooter or a modern electric standing scooter. If you meant a motor scooter with a seat, you would use the word le scooter.
Is choisis an irregular verb?
No, choisir (to choose) is a regular second-group -ir verb. For the je form, you drop the -ir and add -is, giving you choisis. It follows the exact same pattern as verbs like finir (to finish) and réfléchir (to think).

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