French conjugation explanation

The euphonic 't' in inversion

<p>When asking questions using inversion in French, pronunciation can become difficult if a verb ending in a vowel is followed immediately by a pronoun starting with a vowel. This creates a "clash" of vowels known as a hiatus.</p>

<p>To make the pronunciation smoother, French requires the insertion of a <strong>euphonic t</strong> (a <span style="font-style: italic;">t</span> used purely for sound). This forms a bridge between the two vowels.</p>

<div class="conjugation_explanation_title">The Rule</div>

<p>You must insert <strong>-t-</strong> between the verb and the subject pronoun when these two conditions are met:</p>

<ul>

<li>The subject is the third-person singular: <strong>il</strong>, <strong>elle</strong>, or <strong>on</strong>.</li>

<li>The verb form ends in a <strong>vowel</strong> (usually <span style="font-style: italic;">-e</span> or <span style="font-style: italic;">-a</span>).</li>

</ul>

<div class="conjugation_explanation_title">Examples</div>

<p>Notice how the <strong>-t-</strong> is connected to both the verb and the pronoun with hyphens.</p>

<div class="conjugation_explanation_example_sentence"><span class="green_emphasis">Parle-t-il</span> français ? (<span style="font-style: italic;">Does he speak French?</span>)</div>

<div class="conjugation_explanation_example_sentence_note">Verb

<a class="conjugation_explanation_link_intext verb_link" href="/study/conjugations/fra/parler/" title="Click to see conjugations for parler" target="_blank">parler</a>

<div class="conjugation_explanation_example_sentence"><span class="green_emphasis">Va-t-elle</span> à l'école ? (<span style="font-style: italic;">Is she going to school?</span>)</div>

<div class="conjugation_explanation_example_sentence_note">Verb

<a class="conjugation_explanation_link_intext verb_link" href="/study/conjugations/fra/aller/" title="Click to see conjugations for aller" target="_blank">aller</a>

<div class="conjugation_explanation_example_sentence"><span class="green_emphasis">A-t-on</span> le temps ? (<span style="font-style: italic;">Do we have time?</span>)</div>

<div class="conjugation_explanation_example_sentence_note">Verb

<a class="conjugation_explanation_link_intext verb_link" href="/study/conjugations/fra/avoir/" title="Click to see conjugations for avoir" target="_blank">avoir</a>

<div class="conjugation_explanation_title">Common Mistakes</div>

<p>Adding a <span style="font-style: italic;">t</span> without hyphens, or using apostrophes, is incorrect in writing.</p>

<ul>

<li>

<div><strong>Incorrect:</strong> <span class="red_emphasis">Mange t il</span> ?</div>

<div><strong>Correct:</strong> <span class="green_emphasis">Mange-t-il</span> ?</div>

</li>

<li>

<div><strong>Incorrect:</strong> <span class="red_emphasis">Mange t'il</span> ?</div>

<div><strong>Correct:</strong> <span class="green_emphasis">Mange-t-il</span> ?</div>

</li>

<li>

<div><strong>Incorrect:</strong> <span class="red_emphasis">Mange-il</span> ?</div>

<div><strong>Correct:</strong> <span class="green_emphasis">Mange-t-il</span> ?</div>

</li>

</ul>

<div class="conjugation_explanation_title">Exception: Verbs ending in T or D</div>

<p>If the verb form already ends in a <strong>d</strong> or a <strong>t</strong>, you do not add the extra euphonic <span style="font-style: italic;">t</span>, because the final consonant of the verb is pronounced in liaison to create the same sound.</p>

<div class="conjugation_explanation_example_sentence"><span class="green_emphasis">Boit-il</span> de l'eau ? (<span style="font-style: italic;">Does he drink water?</span>)</div>

<div class="conjugation_explanation_example_sentence_note">

<a class="conjugation_explanation_link_intext verb_link" href="/study/conjugations/fra/boire/" title="Click to see conjugations for boire" target="_blank">boire</a>

<div class="conjugation_explanation_example_sentence"><span class="green_emphasis">Vend-elle</span> sa maison ? (<span style="font-style: italic;">Is she selling her house?</span>)</div>

<div class="conjugation_explanation_example_sentence_note">

<a class="conjugation_explanation_link_intext verb_link" href="/study/conjugations/fra/vendre/" title="Click to see conjugations for vendre" target="_blank">vendre</a>