Learn French: Ils réfléchissent à cette option. - They are thinking about this option.

Ils réfléchissent à cette option.

They are thinking about this option.

Breakdown of Ils réfléchissent à cette option.

ils

they (masculine/mixed)

this (before a noun)

at / to / in (general locations) / about (what one thinks about / reacts to)

l'option

the option (f)

Questions & Answers about Ils réfléchissent à cette option.

Why does the verb end in -issent instead of just -ent?

Réfléchir (to think/reflect) is a regular -ir verb. For these verbs, the ils and elles (they) form is made by dropping the -ir and adding -issent. This is different from regular -er verbs that just take -ent.

Do I pronounce the -ent at the end of réfléchissent?

No! In French, the -ent ending for third-person plural verbs (the ils and elles forms) is always completely silent. You only pronounce the word up to the "s" sound: "ray-flesh-EES".

Why is à used here? Doesn't à mean "to" or "at"?

In English we say we are thinking about something, but French verbs often require specific prepositions that don't translate literally. The verb réfléchir pairs with à, so réfléchir à means "to think about" or "to reflect on".

Why is it cette option instead of ce option?

Option is a feminine noun in French. To say "this" or "that" before a feminine noun, you must use cette. You would only use ce (or cet) if the noun were masculine.