Question 1

How do I pronounce boivent? Do I say the -ent at the end?

Accepted Answer

No, the -ent ending on French verbs used with ils or elles (they) is always completely silent. You only pronounce the boiv- part, which sounds like "bwahv".

Question 2

Is boire (to drink) a regular verb? Why does it have a "v" in boivent?

Accepted Answer

Boire is a highly irregular verb. In the plural forms (we, you plural, they), it gains a "v". While the "we" and "you" forms change the main vowel to a "u" (nous buvons, vous buvez), the "they" form keeps the "oi" sound from the singular forms but uses that "v" ending: ils boivent.

Question 3

Why is it de vin instead of du vin?

Accepted Answer

If you want to say "some wine" in general, you do use du vin. But when you have a specific container or quantity word right before it—like une bouteille (a bottle), un verre (a glass), or beaucoup (a lot)—you drop the article and just use de (of). So "a bottle of wine" is always une bouteille de vin.

Question 4

I thought French adjectives usually go after the noun. Why is it bonne bouteille?

Accepted Answer

You are right that most adjectives go after the noun! However, there is a small group of short, common adjectives that go before the noun. These usually describe Beauty, Age, Goodness, or Size (often taught as the "BAGS" rule). Since bonne describes goodness, it goes before bouteille.

Question 5

If the subject was a group of women (elles), would ensemble get an -s at the end to match?

Accepted Answer

No, ensemble (together) is an adverb, not an adjective. Adverbs describe how an action is done, and they never change their spelling to match the gender or number of the subject. It will always be written ensemble.

Ils boivent une bonne bouteille de vin ensemble.

Breakdown of Ils boivent une bonne bouteille de vin ensemble.

Questions & Answers about Ils boivent une bonne bouteille de vin ensemble.

Learn Ils boivent une bonne bouteille de vin ensemble and more in French