Sans reçu, il est difficile de prouver l’achat.

Without a receipt, it is difficult to prove the purchase.

Breakdown of Sans reçu, il est difficile de prouver l’achat.

• être: to be
• sans: without
• difficile: difficult
• il: it

Questions & Answers about Sans reçu, il est difficile de prouver l’achat.

Why is there no article after sans? Why not sans un reçu or sans le reçu?

• After sans, French often omits the article to talk about something in general: sans reçu = without a receipt (in general).
• sans un reçu is possible but adds emphasis: without a single receipt/any receipt at all.
• sans le reçu points to a specific, known receipt (the one for this purchase).
• All are correct; choose based on meaning:
  • Sans reçu, il est difficile de prouver l’achat.
  • Sans un reçu, il est difficile de prouver l’achat. (emphasis)
  • Sans le reçu, il est difficile de prouver l’achat. (the specific receipt)

Can I move sans reçu to the end?

Yes. Il est difficile de prouver l’achat sans reçu. This is very natural. The initial comma in the original simply sets off the fronted phrase; it’s optional when you move it.

What’s the difference between il est difficile de and c’est difficile de?

• Il est + adjective + de + infinitive is the standard impersonal construction; neutral to formal.
• C’est + adjective + de + infinitive is more conversational.
• Both are correct here:
  • Il est difficile de prouver l’achat.
  • C’est difficile de prouver l’achat.