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 we 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.

Actually many native French still make some mistakes even if the rule is quite simple.


When use "a"?

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"?

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

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

Exercise

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.

Contributors

Maintenance script and Vincent


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