ADVERBS OF QUANTITY

137. (a) Such adverbs as beaucoup (many, much), plus (more), trop (too much, too many), tant (so much, so many), combien (how much, how many), peu (few, little), moins (less), assez (plenty, enough) require de instead of des when used with a noun, e.g. :

beaucoup de monde (many people, a big crowd) tant de choses (so many things)

(b) In a similar way, such NEGATIVES as pas, point, jamais, etc. must be f ollowed by de when used with a noun, e.g. :

pas de fleurs (no flowers)

(c) The pronominal adverb^en must always replace the noun that is understood in connection with the above adverbs, or adjectives of quantity (also numerals), and it must take its proper place in the sentence; i.e., it must précède the verb, e.g.:

il y a beaucoup de monde (there are many people)

il y en a beaucoup (there are many)

ils n'ont pas de rieurs (they don't have any flowers)

ils n'en ont pas (they don't have any)

j'ai acheté une vache (I bought a cow)

j'en ai acheté une (I bought one)

NEGATIVES