Learn French: Elles amènent un ami au supermarché. - They are bringing a friend to the supermarket.

Elles amènent un ami au supermarché.

They are bringing a friend to the supermarket.

Breakdown of Elles amènent un ami au supermarché.

Questions & Answers about Elles amènent un ami au supermarché.

Why is there a grave accent in amènent when the infinitive amener doesn't have one?

The verb amener is a stem-changing verb. For the elles form, the unaccented 'e' in the stem changes to 'è'. This happens for all subject pronouns except nous and vous. This change makes the letter sound like 'eh' instead of being a quiet 'uh' sound.

How do you pronounce the -ent at the end of amènent?

You don't! Even though it is spelled with an -ent, this ending is completely silent on verbs for ils and elles in the present tense. You stop pronouncing the word after the 'n' sound.

I learned that the verb for 'to bring' is apporter. Why does this sentence use amener?

It depends on what you are bringing! You use amener when bringing a person or an animal (someone you can lead). You use apporter when bringing an inanimate object (something you can carry). Because they are bringing a friend (un ami), we must use amener.

Why is it au supermarché instead of à le supermarché?