Homophones
CEFR A2
ou vs où
"ou" (no accent) offers a choice between two possibilities. "où" (with a grave accent) indicates a place or a moment.
Replace with "ou bien". If it works, write "ou". If not, write "où" (place or time).
Examples
Thé ou café ?
Key word(s): ou
"Thé ou bien café ?" works, so this is a choice.
La ville où je suis né.
Key word(s): où
"La ville ou bien je suis né" does not work, so this is a place.
Tu viens ou tu restes ?
Key word(s): ou
A choice between two actions.
Le jour où il est parti.
Key word(s): où
Indicates a moment in time.
Où vas-tu ?
Key word(s): où
A question about place.
Common mistakes
- Forgetting the accent on "où" when it indicates a place.
- Putting an accent on "ou" when it is a choice.
- Getting confused in complex sentences.
Test yourself
Rouge ___ bleu ?
La maison ___ j'habite.
___ est-ce que tu vas ?
Tips to remember
- "où" always carries a grave accent.
- If you can say "ou bien", no accent.
- "où" answers the questions "à quel endroit ?" or "à quel moment ?".
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