Year 5 - French
To have or to be: 'avoir' and 'être' singular
What I and others have: plural 'avoir' and nouns
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This pupil-friendly study guide includes a unit summary, clear notes, common mistakes, and quick questions with answers.
Unit Summary
In this unit, pupils use singular and plural postnominal adjectives and 'avoir' in the contexts of an online exchange, conversations between cousins in France and Haiti, and physical description of hair and eyes. Supporting sounds are Silent Final e and -s liaison.
Lesson Summary
You will learn to form sentences and recognise when to use the verbs 'avoir' and 'être'.
Key Notes
- The e at the end of the word makes no sound. This is a Silent final e (SFe). The consonant before a SFe is pronounced.
- Adjectives change spelling based on the gender of the noun they describe. Most adjectives add an e in the feminine form.
- The verb 'avoir' means to have: j'ai (I have), tu as (you have), il a (he has), elle a (she has).
- The verb 'être' means to be: je suis (I am), tu es (you are), il est (he is), elle est (she is).
- 'S' and 't' are silent final consonants. 'As' and 'a' sound the same and 'es' and 'est' sound the same.
Vocabulary To Learn
- SFe: silent final e, a word which ends in a silent e: timide
- avoir: French verb meaning 'to have'
- être: French verb meaning 'to be'
Common Mistakes To Avoid
- Confusion between 'il a' and 'il est' as 'il est' is pronounced similarly to the English 'a'.
3 Quick Questions (With Answers)
1. Explain what you can now say or understand in this lesson.
The e at the end of the word makes no sound. This is a Silent final e (SFe). The consonant before a SFe is pronounced. Adjectives change spelling based on the gender of the noun they describe. Most adjectives add an e in the feminine form.
2. Define this key language word and use it in context. 'SFe'
silent final e, a word which ends in a silent e: timide. Say or write it in a short sentence so you use the word actively.
3. Correct this common language-learning mistake.
Mistake: Confusion between 'il a' and 'il est' as 'il est' is pronounced similarly to the English 'a'. Correction: 'Il a' and 'il est' are pronounced differently and have different meanings: 'il a' is he has and 'il est' is he is.
More Lessons In This Unit
- A horrible week! 'Avoir' singular persons and adjectives after the noun Study Guide
- All about me: presenting myself in French Study Guide
- Exchange school in England: 'nous avons' and 'vous avez' Study Guide
- Hair and eyes: singular and plural adjective agreement Study Guide
- In class: 'il y a' and 'ce sont' Study Guide
- My ideal teacher: singular and plural adjectives Study Guide
- Our own space: 'ils ont', 'elles ont' and adjectives before the noun Study Guide
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