Etre ou Ne Pas Etre

Être ou ne pas être – To Be or Not to Be
http://cdhyltonfrench.pbwiki.com/f/Podcast%20etre.mp3

This lesson is designed to explain the conjugation of être (to be), help to master this verb. As everything comes in audio format, students are able to listen and repeat. Furthermore, they can also download the file to be reviewed later.

The verb être, along with avoir, faire, and aller, is one of the most important and basic verbs of the French language. Moreover, être is the most frequently used verb in French. The difficulty for the beginners in learning French language is that this verb is an irregular one, which means its forms do not follow a predictable pattern. So make sure you know this verb thoroughly!



Exercise 1: Répétez après moi, SVP – Repeat after me!

Now we are going to learn how to conjugate this verb. Ensure you repeat out loud!
l When you hear the liaison (gliding) in the vous form – vous êtes, make the same liaison (gliding) as I do.
l Be extra careful in ils/elles (3rd person plural) form. The pronunciation is <> and not <>. Have you forgotten the verb avoir? If your answer is yes, you definitely need to review avoir! Ils ont elles ont are the 3rd person plural for the verb avoir

Je suis
Tu es
Il est
Elle est
Nous sommes
Vous êtes
Ils sont
Elles sont


Remember : The French have two ways of saying they
l ils refers to two or more males or to a mixed group of males and females.
l elles relfers to two or more females


Exercise 2: Add the correct form.

Now, when you hear the pronoun choose the appropriate form and say it out loud. There will be enough time for you to speak. Then I will say the correct form and give you time to repeat it again.

Tu tu es
Elle (singulier) elle est
Nous nous sommes
Ils (pluriel) ils sont
Je je suis
Il (singulier) il est
Vous vous êtes
Elles (pluriel) elles sont

Now that you know how to conjugate and pronounce le verbe être, you must practice to master its spelling.

Remember, memorization comes with repetition!!!

Au revoir!