Language/French/Grammar/Homophones
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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)
Related 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