How do you know if you need an accent on 'a' or not?

Is it the verb 'avoir' or the preposition 'à'?

To know which one to choose there is an easy question: can I say 'avait' instead of a/à? If the answer is yes, then it's the verb and it doesn't have an accent.

Exemple:

• Il a/à un chat. => Il avait un chat. 

As we can say 'avait', you don't need an accent. The answer is: Il a un chat.

Viens a/à la maison demain. => Viens avait la maison demain

In this case you can't replace it by 'avait', therefore it's the prepositon 'à'. The answer is: Viens à la maison demain. 

AC
Answered by Adeline C. French tutor

3414 Views

See similar French GCSE tutors

Related French GCSE answers

All answers ▸

Difference between Qui/Que?


Please can you tell me how I should prepare for my GCSE French oral exam?


How do I do the french "r" sound?


How can I understand the tense 'passé composé'/ Can you explain 'passé composé to me?


We're here to help

contact us iconContact ustelephone icon+44 (0) 203 773 6020
Facebook logoInstagram logoLinkedIn logo

© MyTutorWeb Ltd 2013–2025

Terms & Conditions|Privacy Policy
Cookie Preferences