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Listen and compare · 9

CEFR B2

Review the contrast after listening

Ils sont arrivés.

[il sɔ̃taʁive]

reading with optional liaison

Ils sont arrivés.

[il sɔ̃ aʁive]

reading without optional liaison

What tells the two sounds apart

  • [t] opcional / et sin [t]After sont, liaison in these examples may be present or absent. Model a chooses a more carefully linked reading; b omits it. Both are acceptable. Try both without adding [t] after et, where the same choice is unavailable. An optional liaison alone does not establish formality or proficiency.

Why it is hard

After sont, liaison in these examples may be present or absent. Model a chooses a more carefully linked reading; b omits it. Both are acceptable. Try both without adding [t] after et, where the same choice is unavailable. An optional liaison alone does not establish formality or proficiency.

Les résultats sont encourageants et utiles, mais plusieurs dossiers sont incomplets.

To practise

  1. Les dossiers sont incomplets.[le dɔsje sɔ̃tɛ̃kɔ̃plɛ]The files are incomplete: linked model.
  2. Les résultats sont encourageants.[le ʁezylta sɔ̃ ɑ̃kuʁaʒɑ̃]The results are encouraging: model without liaison.
  3. Ils sont absents et occupés.[il sɔ̃tapsɑ̃ e ɔkype]They are absent and busy: [t] after sont, none after et.
  4. Les échanges sont utiles.[lezeʃɑ̃ʒ sɔ̃ ytil]The exchanges are useful: optional omission after sont.