The ultimate guide to use elision in French

Are you reading French with your mouth closed?

Are you therefore inadvertently reinforcing old ways, English pronunciation ways, of speaking French?

It’s what we do - we don’t want to look like the crazy person walking around reading out loud! 

But actually, we need to break the habit of reading silently in French as we only use our English voice. After all, we understand it! 

Interestingly, I have been working on pronunciation in French with many people.  And the majority of them are tripping up over what we call “Elision”.

This is just the squishing of the first little word into the next when it starts with A E I O U H Y - a vowel sound. 

You’ll have done it when you say “J’aime”. (It’s Je + aime, all squished up.)

Now, if you’re STILL separating the words, it’s time to take a quick look at how to pronounce your French in a way that French people will understand you more, and with that, you’ll also grow your French-speaking confidence. 

Here you go discovering:

•  What elision is

•  The point of elision 

•  How to pronounce well in French

What’s an elision?

When we speak, we make some arrangements. The purpose is to smooth the transition between words so it flows…That’s why we use the elision.

What’s an elision?

It’s when you ignore the last vowel of a word because the following word starts with one as well.

Indeed, it’s quite complex to pronounce 2 vowels one next to each other.

Squishing words with an apostrophe.

One way to squish words is to drop the last vowel and add an apostrophe.

Oui! Physically there’s a gap but non! We connect them when we speak

Note that you would do the same with words starting with the letter “h”. They follow the same pattern.

However, you will never squish with the word QUI meaning who or which.

Elison in action.

Let’s explore some examples and see them in sentences.

• je + aime = j’aime >>>I like / love
• J’aime les tartes aux fruits. >>> I like fruit pies.

• je + te + adore = je t’adore >>>I adore you
• Je t’adore quand tu te comportes. >>> I adore you when you behave well.

• je + ne + aime + pas  = je n’aime pas >>>I don’t like
• Je n’aime pas quand il y a beaucoup de gens. >>> I don’t like when it’s crowded.

• Le + hôtel = l’hôtel >>> The hotel
• L’hôtel est très luxueux. >>> The hotel is very luxurious.

• La + idée = l’idée >>> the idea
• L’idée que tu sois loin ne me plaît pas. >>> The idea that you are far from me doesn’t please me.

• Que + est-ce que = qu’est-ce que >>> What
• Qu’est-ce que tu fais quand tu as du du temps libre ? >>> What do you do when you have free time?

• Il + se + appelle = il s'appelle >>> He’s named (His name is)
• Il s'appelle Jean MOREAU. >>> His name is Jean MOREAU.

How to get used to elision?

To start with, it’s not natural and it requires some practice.

First, visualise the sounds because it will help your long memory tremendously.

Remember that the apostrophe is not a full stop but a connector.

Sure, you can practise by writing your own examples but don’t forget to say them aloud to ensure elision.

Another useful activity is to read in French and focus on elisions only. Scan them and read them aloud.

Finally, pay attention to what French people say in conversation or films. Can you recognise the words even if there’s an apostrophe between the words?

So, all in all, we connect words with an apostrophe after dropping the last vowel in order to get this fluidity or melody in French.

There’s another way to achieve fluidity in French with this:

How to use liaisons in French

Tell me the truth: do you always remember the elision when you express yourself in French? What are your tips to remember them?