This is the ending of the sentence:
[...] mais qui cache peut-être de lourds secrets.
Why in this sentence is "de" being used?
I further searched up "mais qui cache de" on Reverso Context and it gave a couple of examples with it.
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Isn't the sentence ending actually: mais qui cache peut-être de lourds secrets ?– jlliagreCommented Aug 28, 2023 at 8:22
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yes sorry that was a typing error– MifaasCommented Aug 28, 2023 at 8:39
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1You should edit your question with the correct spelling and adjust it if you believe it is still valid. Un can't be used with a plural for a starter.– jlliagreCommented Aug 28, 2023 at 9:01
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how is it plural– MifaasCommented Aug 28, 2023 at 10:00
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Please edit your post with the actual sentence before asking for an answer (just click on Edit below the question to do it). By the way, do the same with that other question of yours or delete it.– jlliagreCommented Aug 28, 2023 at 10:36
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1 Answer
If you want to use un instead of de in this sentence, you have to move it from plural secrets to singular secret:
mais qui cache peut-être un lourd secret: but that hides a terrible secret
If it is not clear how many secrets there are, you would say:
mais qui cache peut-être de lourds secrets: but that hides terrible secrets
where de has now a partitive function. Note that:
mais qui cache peut-être des lourds secrets
feels at least clumsy. I wouldn't use it.
