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In the expression
C'est bon d'avoir de vos nouvelles !
we need the indefinite article de because "vos nouvelles" is indefinite in this sentence. (We don't know which news are mentioned.)
What are some other examples of this construction? When is it used? I don't usually see
C'est du mon riz.
or
Ce sont de vos chaises.
C'est du mon riz is impossible because it would be using two consecutive definite determiners:
- le, article and definite determiner contained in the partitive article du (→ de+le) and
- vos which is a possessive definite determiner.
But one could have:
C'est de mon riz.
and
Ce sont de vos chaises.
where de is followed by just one determiner.
Having de in front of the determiner indicates that you designate a certain amount, not all your chairs, my rice, etc.
