Le début du livre est intéressant.

The beginning of the book is interesting.

Breakdown of Le début du livre est intéressant.

• être: to be
• le livre: the book
• intéressant: interesting
• de: of
• le début: the beginning

Questions & Answers about Le début du livre est intéressant.

Why is the preposition “du” used instead of “de le” in the sentence?

In French, the preposition “de” contracts with the definite article “le” to form “du.” Here, “du livre” literally comes from “de le livre,” which means “of the book.” This contraction is standard when dealing with masculine singular nouns.

Why does the adjective “intéressant” not have an extra ending, such as an -e?

Adjectives in French must agree in gender and number with the noun they modify. Since “début” is masculine singular, the adjective “intéressant” remains in its base form. If the noun were feminine, the adjective would typically add an -e (becoming “intéressante”) to show agreement.

What is the overall structure of the sentence “Le début du livre est intéressant”?

The sentence is constructed with a clear subject–predicate structure. The subject is the noun phrase “Le début du livre” (the beginning of the book), which consists of a definite article (“Le”), a noun (“début”), and a prepositional phrase (“du livre”) that specifies which beginning is being discussed. The linking verb “est” (is) connects the subject to the predicate adjective “intéressant,” which describes the subject.

Why are definite articles used with both “début” and “livre”?

Definite articles are used to indicate that we are referring to specific, identifiable items. “Le début” implies that we are talking about a particular beginning (presumably the one the listener or reader is aware of), and “du livre” specifies “of the book,” denoting a specific book. This usage helps to clarify which beginning and which book are being discussed.

Can I replace “intéressant” with another adjective, and does its position change in the sentence?

Yes, you can substitute “intéressant” with another adjective such as “captivant” (captivating) or “passionnant” (exciting), as long as the adjective agrees with the subject in gender and number. In French, adjectives that describe nouns typically follow the noun, as shown in this sentence. However, be aware that some adjectives can be placed before the noun depending on stylistic choices or specific meanings.