Language/French/Grammar/Homophones

Homophones are words that sound the same but are spelled differently.

"a" or "à"

• a = verb "avoir" (to have). It may be remplaced by "avait".
• à = preposition. We can’t replace it with "avait".

Example

Nathalie a gagné une poupée à la fête. / Nathalie won a doll at the party.

"est" or "et"

• est = verb "être (to be). It may be remplaced by "était".
• et = invariable word. It may be remplaced by "et puis".

Example

• Cette eau est bouillantes. (This water is hot). Cette eau était bouillante.
• Il y met les mains et se brûle. (He puts his hands in it and burns himself). Il y met les mains et puis se brûle.

"ou" or "où"

• ou = coordinating conjuction. It my be remplaced by "ou bien".
• où = relative pronoun, Indicates a place.

• Préfères-tu le ciména ou le théâtre ? (Do you prefer the cimena or the theater?)
• Où veux-tu aller ? (Where do you want to go?)

"la", "là", "l'as", "l'a"

• la = 1-It may be rempaced by "une" OR 2-can be remplaced a noun.
• là = It may be remplaced by "ici", indicates a place.

Example

• (1) La porte est bloquée. (The door is struck)

• (2) Débloquons la ensemble. (Let’s unblock the set) --> the door

• Passons par là (we go this way)

• l'as = 2em person from singular present. It may be remplaced by "avais"
• l'a = 3em person from singular present. It may be remplaced by "avait".

Example

• Pourquoi l'as-tu fermé ? (Why did you close it?)
• Le serrurier l'a ouverte. (The locksmith opened it)

"ce" or "se"

• ce = (1) singular male demonstrative adjective. It serves to designate something or someone. (2) It's also a demonstrative pronoun, use before only the verb "être". It may be remplaced by "cela"
• se (or s') It's a part of a verb.

Example

• (1) Ce soir
• (2) Ce sont des amis.
• Se lever, il se lève. (He gets up)
• S'endormir, il s'endort. (He falls asleep)

Other Lessons

• Gender
• Ce, and compound forms of être
• Collective nouns
• Impersonal vs Personal
• Pronominal verbs used reciprocally
• Function of adverbs
• Use of on
• Pronominal verbs, the auxiliary “être” and the agreement of the past participle
• Verb forms — Introduction
• Differences in the use of numbers in French and English Kings, queens and popes