a vs à
"a" (no accent) is the verb avoir conjugated in the present tense (third person singular). "à" (with a grave accent) is a preposition. To tell them apart, replace the word with "avait": if the sentence still works, it is "a" (the verb). If it does not, it is "à" (the preposition).
Examples
Il a faim.
Key word(s): a
"Il avait faim" works, so this is the verb avoir.
Il va à la maison.
Key word(s): à
"Il va avait la maison" does not work, so this is the preposition.
Elle a un chien.
Key word(s): a
"Elle avait un chien" works.
Il pense à toi.
Key word(s): à
"Il pense avait toi" does not work.
Mon frère a parlé à sa professeure.
Key word(s): a, à
"a parlé" = the verb avoir (avait parlé). "à sa professeure" = the preposition.
Common mistakes
- Writing "il à faim" (using the preposition instead of the verb).
- Writing "il va a la maison" (using the verb instead of the preposition).
- Hesitating when "a" and "à" appear in the same sentence.
Test yourself
Elle ___ mangé une pomme.
Il est ___ Paris.
On ___ pensé ___ tout.
Tips to remember
- The "avait" trick works every time.
- "à" often introduces a place, a recipient, or a complement.
- "a" is always followed by a past participle or a complement of the verb avoir.
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