Rule for Nouns beginning with H

WhiteA2Kwiziq Q&A regular contributor

Rule for Nouns beginning with H

Please confirm.  The masculine forms bel, nouvel and vieil are used before a noun that begins with a VOWEL.  This rule does not apply to a noun that begins with an H?  Par exemple:  Regarde ces vieux hommes.  Merci.

Asked 4 years ago
AlanC1 Kwiziq Q&A super contributor Correct answer

Also, as explained in the lesson, that rule doesn't apply to plural nouns:

The masculine forms bel, nouvel and vieil (when in front of a vowel) become the regular masculine plural beaux, nouveaux and vieux.

The point is that the "x" can be pronounced if necessary, as in the case of "vieux hommes".

ChrisC1 Kwiziq Q&A super contributor

Unfortunately, this question has no black and white answer, because there are to versions of "h": h aspiré and h muet.

The h aspiré counts as a consonant, which means that there are no contractions with it. Words that fall into that category are, for example: le héros, le hamster, le hasard, ....

H muet, on the other hand is moot (=muet) and therefore contracts: l'hôtel, l'herbe, l'histoire, ...

Here is a list of words for a start: http://www.aidenet.eu/grammaire01ac.htm

WhiteA2Kwiziq Q&A regular contributor

Merci Alan.  So singular:  le vieil homme.  Pluaral:  les vieux hommes.

Rule for Nouns beginning with H

Please confirm.  The masculine forms bel, nouvel and vieil are used before a noun that begins with a VOWEL.  This rule does not apply to a noun that begins with an H?  Par exemple:  Regarde ces vieux hommes.  Merci.

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