EPISODE 6:
Welcome back! In today’s episode, we’re wrapping up our series on pronouns with "ils" and "elles." These pronouns may seem simple, but their pronunciation rules and cultural significance can be tricky.
We’ll explore how to use "ils" and "elles" correctly, focusing on pronunciation and the liaison. We’ll also discuss cultural contexts, such as how "ils" is used for mixed-gender groups.
Pronunciation of "ils" and "elles"
We’ll explain how "ils" and "elles" change depending on whether the next word starts with a vowel or consonant, and how this triggers the "Z" sound in liaisons.
"Ils" (Masculine):
"Elles" (Feminine):
Cultural Context of "Ils" and "Elles"
We’ll explain how "ils" is used for mixed-gender groups, even with one man, like in:
"Il y a 100 femmes et un homme" → "Ils sont là".
"Elles" is used only for all-female groups.
Questions, Negatives, and Past Tense
Short Questions
We’ll show how "ils" and "elles" are used in formal and informal speech.
Masculine (Ils):
Feminine (Elles):
Negatives in Casual Speech
We’ll see how dropping the "ne" affects the liaison.
Masculine (Ils):
Feminine (Elles):
Past Tense
In the past tense, verbs starting with vowels often require liaisons.
Masculine (Ils):
Feminine (Elles):
The Formality Paradox
We’ll discuss how formal speech often omits liaisons. For example:
The Z-Sound Paradox
We’ll show how missing the liaison can create misunderstandings, like:
Listening Practice
We’ll wrap up with examples for practice.
Masculine Examples:
Feminine Examples:
Developing Intuition in French
We’ll explain how your ear can naturally develop to recognize when a liaison feels right. For example:
For more information, feel free to reach out on Ins