French Phrase
Certains prêts demandent une garantie.
Meaning
The sentence means “Some loans require a guarantee.” It points out that only particular types of credit need collateral, while others may not.
When to use
Use this phrase when talking about banking conditions, explaining loan eligibility, or comparing different financial products. It’s common in conversations with a bank adviser, in financial articles, or when giving advice to friends about borrowing money.
✦Grammar Breakdown
Certainsprêtsdemandentunegarantie
Certains
Indefinite adjective meaning 'some'. It agrees in gender and number with the noun it modifies (masculine plural here).
prêts
Masculine plural noun meaning 'loans'. The plural form adds an -s, which is silent in pronunciation.
demandent
Third‑person plural present of the verb *demander* ('to require/ask for'). The -ent ending is silent.
une
Feminine singular indefinite article, used before a feminine noun.
garantie
Feminine noun meaning 'guarantee' or 'collateral'.
🗨In Conversation
Quels types de prêts sont les plus faciles à obtenir ?
Which types of loans are the easiest to get?
Certains prêts demandent une garantie, mais d'autres n'en ont pas besoin.
Some loans require a guarantee, but others don’t need one.
✕Common Mistakes
Certains prêts demande une garantie.
The verb must agree with the plural subject *prêts*. Using *demande* (singular) is incorrect.
Certains prêts demandent un garantie.
Do not use the masculine article *un* because *garantie* is feminine.
Certaines prêts demandent une garantie.
If you want to refer to a feminine plural noun, you would use *certaines*. Here the noun is masculine, so *certains* is correct.
↔Alternatives
Certaines formes de prêts exigent une garantie.
Certain forms of loans demand a guarantee.
Il faut parfois une garantie pour certains prêts.
Sometimes a guarantee is needed for some loans.
Tous les prêts ne demandent pas de garantie.
Not all loans require a guarantee.
Cultural Tip
In French banking, *garantie* can refer to a physical collateral (like a house) or a personal guarantor. The verb *exiger* sounds a bit more formal than *demander*, so you’ll hear both depending on the context. When speaking with a bank officer, keep the register polite and use *vous*.