The verb "to have" plural (nous avons, vous avez, ils ont)

Plural Forms of the Verb "Avoir"

In this lesson, we complete the verb avoir (to have) with its plural forms to say what we, you, or they have.

SubjectVerbMeaning
nousavonswe have
vousavezyou have (plural or formal)
ils / ellesontthey have

When spoken, the final "s" of nous, vous, ils, and elles links with the vowel at the start of the verb, creating a "z" sound.

You can use these forms to talk about shared spaces, like an apartment (un appartement) or a bedroom (une chambre).

We have a spacious apartment.
Nous avons un appartement spacieux.
They have a modern apartment here.
Ils ont un appartement moderne ici.
Do you have a free room?
Vous avez une chambre libre ?

Plural Nouns as Subjects

Just like singular nouns use the il / elle form, plural nouns use the ils / elles form. If your subject is a plural noun like "the children" (les enfants), you will use ont.

The children have beds in the bedroom.
Les enfants ont des lits dans la chambre.

Rooms and Furniture

You can continue using these verb forms to describe what is inside your home, such as a bed (un lit), a sofa (un canapé), or the features of a living room (un salon), kitchen (une cuisine), or bathroom (une salle de bain).

Do they have a big bed?
Elles ont un grand lit ?
We have a sofa in the living room.
Nous avons un canapé dans le salon.
We have a bright kitchen.
Nous avons une cuisine claire.
They have a window in the bathroom.
Ils ont une fenêtre dans la salle de bain.

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