Elision usually occurs when two vowel sounds are pronounced: one at the end of a word and the other at the beginning of the next word. Drop the final vowel of the first word and replace it with an apostrophe. The two words then simply slide together: (Video Below)
je + imite = j'imite (zhee‐meet).
Note how the final “e” (uh) sound of je (zhuh) is dropped.
An elision is the dropping of the last letter of a word, replacing it with an apostrophe, and attaching it to the word that follows, which begins with a vowel or mute h. This is generally in order to facilitate pronunciation.
In French, all but two elisions occur with the letter e at the end of short words (such as articles and prepositions) when the next word starts with a vowel or mute h. The two exceptions are la and si.
de --> d'
Je viens de France et d'Australie. - I come from France and Australia.
Il n'y a pas d'hôpital dans cette ville. - There is no hospital in this town.
je --> j'
Je parle et j'écoute. - I speak and I listen.
J'habite à Paris. - I live in Paris.
le, la --> l'
Je le connais et je l'admire. - I know him and I admire him.
L'hôtel n'est pas cher. - The hotel isn't expensive.
Je la regarde et l'écoute. - I'm watching her and listening to her.
me, te, se --> m', t', s'
Je me lève et je m'habille. - I get up and I get dressed.
Il te regarde et il t'écoute. - He's watching you and he's listening to you.
Ils se lavent mais ne s'essuient pas. - They wash but don't dry themselves.
que --> qu'
La fille que j'aime et qu'il aime est sympa. - The girl I love and he loves is nice.
Je veux qu'elle commence. - I want her to begin.
si --> s' only in front of il and ils
Je ne sortirai pas s'il pleut. - I won't go out if it's raining.
Si elles veulent venir et s'ils acceptent, alors c'est bon. - If they want to come and if they accept, then it's good.
0 Comments