When to use de verus à for possesion

AprilB1Kwiziq community member

When to use de verus à for possesion

Un stylo est à moi Un stylo est de moi?
Asked 6 years ago
CécileKwiziq team memberCorrect answer

Hi April,

The only case I can think of when you would say 'de moi' is in the following example, meaning 'from me':

Ce cadeau est de moi This gift is from me.

For possession you could only say,  Le stylo est à moi.

Hope this helps!

ChrisC1 Kwiziq Q&A super contributor
That's a good question, April. Somehow I've managed to get a feel for it which I'll try to put in words. "De" is used to denote intellectual ownership while "à" implies personal physical ownership. It is often translated as "by" in this context: "Ce livre de Zola est excellent." -- This book by Zola is excellent. "De" is also used to describe an object further. In these instances one could translate "de" with "of the": "La balle des enfants." -- The ball of the children. "À" really expresses ownership in a more direct sense as "de". "Ce manteau-ci est à moi." -- This coat belongs to me. I hope I was able to shed some light on this. -- Chris (not a native speaker).
ChrisC1 Kwiziq Q&A super contributor
Looking at the two sentences from your question: Le stylo est à moi -- The pen belongs to me. Le stylo est de moi. -- The pen is by me (i.e., I made it) The first one sounds very natural to my ears, whereas the second one doesn't. -- Chris.
SundayA1Kwiziq community member

Can't I say- me stylo way mien?

When to use de verus à for possesion

Un stylo est à moi Un stylo est de moi?

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