Accents: acute, grave, circumflex
The acute accent (é) goes on an "e" pronounced as a closed [e]. The grave accent (è) marks an open "e" [ɛ] or distinguishes homophones (à, où, là). The circumflex (â, ê, î, ô, û) often marks a lost letter (forêt from forest) or distinguishes words (dû/du, sûr/sur).
Examples
Une étoile brillante.
Key word(s): étoile
A closed é at the start of the word, so it takes the acute accent.
Très bien, merci.
Key word(s): très
An open è, so it takes the grave accent.
La forêt est sombre.
Key word(s): forêt
The circumflex (it comes from "forest" in Old French).
Il est sûr de lui.
Key word(s): sûr
The circumflex distinguishes it from "sur" (the preposition).
Où vas-tu ?
Key word(s): où
The grave accent distinguishes it from "ou" (a choice).
Common mistakes
- Confusing é (closed) and è (open) before a double consonant
- Forgetting the circumflex in "forêt", "hôpital", "île"
- Forgetting the accents that distinguish homophones (dû/du, sûr/sur, mûr/mur)
Test yourself
Un ___l___ve studieux.
Il a d___ partir.
Apr___s le d___ner.
Tips to remember
- Before a double consonant, no accent: "belle", "cette", "messe".
- At the start of a word it is often an acute accent: "école", "écrire", "été".
- The circumflex often replaces an old "s": forêt (forest), hôpital (hospital), île (isle).
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