In conversation is de rien sometimes shortened to rien?

Yes, in conversation, "de rien" is often shortened to "rien" in French. This is especially common in informal settings and among native speakers.

Here's why:

* Conciseness: "Rien" is simply shorter and quicker to say.

* Emphasis: The shortened form can sometimes sound more natural and conversational.

* Common usage: It's very common in French to drop prepositions like "de" in everyday speech, particularly in informal contexts.

However, it's important to note that:

* Formal settings: In formal situations, it's generally more appropriate to use the full "de rien".

* Context matters: While "rien" is accepted in informal conversation, it might not be suitable in all contexts.

So, while "rien" is a perfectly acceptable shortening of "de rien" in many situations, it's always good to consider the context and level of formality.