[Originally posted on 03/29/14 on the Duolingo French for English speakers forum by xaponeis]
Continuing the topic about Des vs De, another common mistake I use to make on Duolingo was choosing the wrong type of article in a sentence.
Sometimes i was sure that i chose the right one but then i loose one heart.
After a little research, i realize that in negative sentences, the articles « Des, Un, Du, De la » becomes « De » except when using the verb « être »
For example:
- Je bois du vin.
- Je ne bois pas de vin (negative).
But
- C’est de la viande.
- Ce n’est pas de la viande (negative – être).
Source: French.about
Tip 1: Des vs De
Tip 2: De vs Des/Un/Du/De la
Tip 3: Ce sont vs Ces
Duolinguists 