Language/French/Grammar/When-Use-à-or-a

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When use: Quand or Quant? Ou or Où? a or à?
A-à.jpg
How to know when to write "à" or "a" in a sentence?

In this lesson, you will learn how to make the difference between "à" and "a" in French. 🇫🇷 Many native French speakers still make mistakes with these two words, even though the rule is quite simple. Once you've mastered this concept, you can also explore other related French grammar topics, such as plural of compound nouns, negation, and direct object quantifiers and « en ». So, let's dive into the world of French grammar and improve your language skills! 📚

When use "a"?[edit | edit source]

a: form of the verb to have (avoir) at the 3rd person singular.

So it is used with "Passé composé" for example.

  • Elle a mangé / She has eaten

TIP: You can substitute with have at the past : "avait"

  • Example: Il a trouvé une perle. ---> Il avait trouvé une perle.

When use "à"?[edit | edit source]

à: preposition or part of a prepositional phrase (because of, from, etc.). It introduces an indirect object of the verb.

TIP: You cannot replace with "avait".

  • Example: Loulou est partie à Québec. ---> Loulou est partie avait Québec

"à" is not a verb.

"à" is like "to" in sentences. (When used with the verbs, but not for places or gentive)

Note : "à" is in singular, in plural it is "aux"

  • C'est à moi / It's mine
  • Tu es à Orléans / You're in Orléans
  • Je veux à boire / I want a drink

Pronunciation[edit | edit source]

"à" and "a" are pronounced the same. So if you talk to a french, don't worry about that ;)

Exercise[edit | edit source]

It's your turn. Find the right answer:

  • Il est à/a toi.
  • Il à/a déjà terminé?
  • À/a tout à/a l'heure!
  • Des choux à/a la crème.
  • Il à/a presque tout à/a côté de lui.

Video[edit | edit source]

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