Question 1

Why do we use à la here instead of avec for "with"?

Accepted Answer

In French, the preposition à is used to introduce a distinguishing physical feature or characteristic. If you used avec la moustache, it would sound like he is carrying a detached moustache around in his pocket rather than it being a part of his face!

Question 2

Could we use the preposition de here instead of à?

Accepted Answer

No. While both prepositions can link nouns, de is used to express what something is made of (its material, like une table de bois). To describe a physical trait, a pattern, or a flavor, you must use à.

Question 3

Why is it à la moustache instead of à une moustache? English usually says "with a moustache".

Accepted Answer

When describing physical traits with the preposition à, French typically pairs it with the definite article (le, la, l', les). Because moustache is a feminine noun, it requires la, even though English uses the indefinite article "a".

Question 4

Could I say lui à la moustache instead of celui à la moustache?

Accepted Answer

No, you need celui because it is a demonstrative pronoun specifically meaning "the one" or "that one" to point someone out of a group. Lui is a personal pronoun meaning "him" and cannot be modified by a descriptive prepositional phrase in this way.

Question 5

Do lequel and celui have to match in gender and number?

Accepted Answer

Yes, they must both agree with the noun they are replacing. Even though we don't see the original noun in this short sentence, the use of the masculine singular forms lequel and celui tells us the speakers are discussing a masculine noun, such as un homme (a man).

Lequel, celui à la moustache ?

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