Spelling
CEFR B1
Silent final letters
Many French words end in a silent letter (-d, -s, -t, -x, -p). To find that letter, look for a related word where it is pronounced.
Look for a feminine form or a related word where it is heard: gros becomes grosse, froid becomes froide, sang relates to sanguin.
Examples
Un gros chien.
Key word(s): gros
Silent -s: the feminine "grosse" reveals the s.
Il fait froid dehors.
Key word(s): froid
Silent -d: the feminine "froide" reveals the d.
Un doigt de la main.
Key word(s): doigt
Silent -t: the related word "digital" reveals the t.
Du sang sur le sol.
Key word(s): sang
Silent -g: the related word "sanguin" reveals the g.
Un tapis persan.
Key word(s): tapis
Silent -s: the related word "tapisserie" reveals the s.
Common mistakes
- Forgetting the final -t in "doigt", "respect", "aspect"
- Forgetting the final -d in "nid", "pied", "fond"
- Forgetting the final -s in "bras", "repas", "progrès"
Test yourself
Le ___ bat vite.
Elle a mal au ___.
Il fait un ___ de géant.
Tips to remember
- Tip 1: put the word in the feminine (grand becomes grande, revealing the d).
- Tip 2: look for a related word (dent becomes dentiste, revealing the t).
- Tip 3: some silent letters have no related word, so they have to be memorized (thym, sirop).
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