Inserting -t- after verbs ending in a t sound

Adrian B.C1Kwiziq Q&A regular contributor

Inserting -t- after verbs ending in a t sound

If you use the inverted form, the answer key asks for the extra -t- after s'adapte, so s'adapte-t-il. That looks redundant, since adapte already ends in a t sound. (Inverted questions in the present tense (Le Présent) in French - il/elle/on forms)

 

Is there perhaps a different rule for silent 'e' endings?

Asked 1 month ago
Maarten K.C1 Kwiziq Q&A super contributor Correct answer

Adrian, 

The inclusion of the ‘ -t- ‘ in inverted questions between a verb form ending in a vowel, and a subject pronoun commencing with a vowel ( il, elle, on ) always applies. 

In formal spoken French, it has an impact on pronunciation, regardless of the usual pronunciation of the verb form. This includes a change in pronunciation with the verb forms ending  ‘ -te ‘, as noted in the link from Laura Lawless. For this reason, it can always be considered to be there for  ‘ euphonic ‘ reasons. 

 “ This includes when the verb ends in –te, which means that a schwa must be pronounced between the two t sounds:

    IPA  il monte>monte-t-il [mɔ̃ tə til]elle hante>hante-t-elle [ã tə tɛl]on écoute>écoute-t-on [e ku tə tɔ̃]

Admittedly, on the recording here the ‘ schwa ‘ is quite subtle. It is consistent I suppose,  with the informal eliding of words/swallowing of vowels that occurs in everyday spoken French ! Regardless, in writing the correct form will be presented, especially as inverted sentences are of a more formal nature.

 

https://www.lawlessfrench.com/grammar/euphonic-inversion/ 

You might also be interested to read ( and listen to ) more about regional variations, and prononciation in poetry and songs

 https://medium.com/language-lab/merde-uh-the-sound-of-silent-e-a58f12baac87

 

 

Adrian B. asked:

Inserting -t- after verbs ending in a t sound

If you use the inverted form, the answer key asks for the extra -t- after s'adapte, so s'adapte-t-il. That looks redundant, since adapte already ends in a t sound. (Inverted questions in the present tense (Le Présent) in French - il/elle/on forms)

 

Is there perhaps a different rule for silent 'e' endings?

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