Question 1

Since this lesson is about aucun(e), why isn't it used here to say "no time"?

Accepted Answer

The word aucun translates to "not a single" and is generally used with countable nouns (like aucun problème for "not a single problem"). Because temps (time) is an uncountable concept here, we can't easily say "not a single time." Instead, we express this idea using un manque de (a lack of) or pas de (no).

Question 2

Why is it de temps instead of du temps?

Accepted Answer

The phrase un manque de acts like an expression of quantity, similar to beaucoup de (a lot of) or un peu de (a little of). After these expressions, you always use the simple preposition de without combining it with the definite article le, so it becomes de temps rather than du temps.

Question 3

Is manque related to the verb manquer (to miss)?

Accepted Answer

Yes! In this sentence, manque is a masculine noun meaning "the lack" or "the shortage." It comes directly from the verb manquer, which means "to lack" or "to miss." You will often see it used in the fixed structure le manque de (the lack of).

Question 4

Why does temps have an "s" at the end if we are talking about singular time?

Accepted Answer

The word temps is invariable, meaning its spelling always ends in an "s" whether it is singular or plural. When pronouncing it, both the "p" and the "s" are completely silent.

Le manque de temps est un problème.

Breakdown of Le manque de temps est un problème.

Questions & Answers about Le manque de temps est un problème.

Learn Le manque de temps est un problème and more in French