binx7836

[wicked python]

Please be patient

Our volunteers look into many questions every day; sometimes it takes them a little while to answer.

Pro tip: you can rename the thread title with `.tr <thread name>`

Make it descriptive, including relevant context, but also to the point. This way you improve your chances of getting a more relevant and specific answer.

[analog ermine]

It's the conjugation, just like english "be" becomes "am", "are" or "is" depending on the subject of the sentence

"a" is for when the subject is third person singular (il/elle/on)
"ont" is for when the subject is third person plural (ils/elles)

[dusty veldt]

Gotcha, I think I can get that.

[analog ermine]

If you look up conjugation tables it'll be easier to see the pattern

There are 3 types of endings for verbs, -er, -ir, and -re
-er verbs are all regular except aller. About 90%ish of all french verbs are -er verbs
-ir verbs are a bit more irregular, but still largely regular
-re verbs are highly irregular with several different patterns that coexist, I'd tackle them last

[dusty veldt]

Yes, I plan to and I understand how the -er verbs work now. I do have another question, is it accurate to say, "Ma famille ont un rhume."?

Since famille might indicate plural thirdperson?

[west river]

famille is singular

familles is plural

just like in English

'my family is' not 'my family are'

just in terms of mindset, this may sound nitpicky, but i find it helps to forget about learning anything about english words

it's not "has" that has you confused, but avoir

you know how english works already, you're trying to figure out how French works

[dusty veldt]

I understand, I've been told to both try and compare and not at the same time so it's a bit confusing. I think I got it though. I realize trying to use are in that sentence made no sense now as well lol

[west river]

yes, it's really about learning to think in a new way

obviously, knowing English will help a lot in learning French as the example above shows

but at the same time, you need to be looking for patterns in French not patterns in how French translates to English

the question you asked about famille wasn't bad, because you don't know whether it will be the same in English and French

[dusty veldt]

Oh, wait, I think I did have it right. Isn't "Ma famille a un rhume." correct?

[west river]

although trying to read and listent to a bit of French will clear up some of these basic questions rather quickly

[west river]

yes

[dusty veldt]

I was just told "ont" was used in place of "a" when plural thirdperson so that's why it came out looking like I meant to say are lol

[west river]

well that's true

it's just that famille is singular third person

https://www.wordreference.com/conj/frverbs.aspx?v=avoir

[dusty veldt]

Yeah, for some reason my brain thought since it referred to a group of people it wasn't singular lol

[west river]

you can tell it's singular in french by the article or possessive adjective

so "ma famille" you know will always be singular feminine, because ma is always singular femenine

[dusty veldt]

Yeah, I learned how a noun always needs an article and de/de la/du now make a lot more sense to me. Seemed so random before lol

[dusty veldt]

Yes, instead of mes I should've known

Merci!

[west river]

de rien

[low rover]

"my family are …" is a valid sentence in English|
(not in my dialect, but it's valid)

[sage swallow]

To me both work but convey slightly different things.

My family (as a unit) is ...
My family (as individual people) are ...

[low rover]

In AmEng I would only say "my family is"
but I've been lead to believe that in BrEng "my family are" happens

[sage swallow]

Yep, seems like something I've both said and heard a lot.

[west river]

yes, you're right

but i'm american... and the UK is a tiny island

[balmy minnow]

the uk is the reason u speak english bro

[west river]

the united kingdom of great britain and northern ireland wouldn't be created until 1801 a full 25 years after the decleration of independence

my country is literally older than the UK

[balmy minnow]

The Kingdom of Great Britain was created in 1707

And you know what I mean..

[west river]

and jesus was crucified in the first century

what's your point?

[balmy minnow]

Wtf lol

I aint even gonna try and argue with a dumb person lol

You brought up dates first😂

Your condescendance just makes me laugh because you don't know what you're talking about

xD

[analog ermine]

Well you were the one to say the UK :/

That's the only reason you seem to be upset lol

[balmy minnow]

xDDD

[west river]

they've replied to all the threads im currently in and given new answers after they've already been answered lol

[balmy minnow]

lol it's not about you bro I'm just giving more correct answers i couldnt care less about some random american on the internet who thinks because they invaded a country and took over they're the best 😭

[sage swallow]

The 'couldn't care less' is shown in your constant responses. Please drop it, this channel/thread is for helping. You can argue in DMs all you like, but this isn't the place.

[balmy minnow]

and your'e not gonna bring up the fact someone brought jesus into this xd

sad

[sage swallow]

This entire conversation has derailed, to be honest. I just want to get back to helping Binx.

[balmy minnow]

Yeah lol

[sage swallow]

They won't be a bother anymore.