Learn French: Nous avons trois options.

Nous avons trois options.

We have three options.

Breakdown of Nous avons trois options.

nous

we / us (object pronoun)

Questions & Answers about Nous avons trois options.

Why does "Nous avons" sound like it is connected with a 'z' sound?

This is called a liaison. The 's' at the end of nous is normally silent. However, because avons starts with a vowel, the 's' links to it and makes a 'z' sound: 'noo-zah-vohn'.

Does the same sound connection happen between "trois" and "options"?

Exactly! The normally silent 's' at the end of trois links to the vowel 'o' at the beginning of options. You pronounce them together with a 'z' sound bridging the gap: 'trwah-zop-see-on'.

What is the base verb for "avons"?

Avons is the nous (we) form of avoir (to have). It is a highly irregular verb, meaning it does not follow the standard patterns of -er, -ir, or -re verbs and its forms just have to be memorized.

"Options" looks exactly like the English word. Is it pronounced the same way?

The spelling and meaning are exactly the same, making it a 'true cognate'. But the pronunciation is very different. In French, the '-tion' ending makes an 's' sound instead of an English 'sh' sound, and it ends with a nasal 'on'.