for je vais, je fais, ils vont, ils font, they sound the same don't they? how can i tell the difference?
Salut, autre fois! (Hello, again)
Yes, they look alike and they may even sound alike to you at first.
aller = to go / je vais = I go, I DO go, I AM goING
faire = to do/to make / je fais = I'm making/doing, I DO make/do, I AM makING/doING
ils vont = they go, DO go, ARE goING
ils font = they do/make, DO do/make, ARE doING/Making
Listen VERY carefully to the "v" which is not voiced = your lips come together but the sound is so soft. versus je fais = the "f" is voiced or you hear ffffffh. Actually they do NOT sound the same, or should not.
Mme
P.S. Actually in "f" the vocal chords do NOT vibrate but in "v" they do.
Mme
P.P.S. Stand in front of a mirror and pronounce these 2 words like English. Look at your lips, note when the vocal chords vibrate or when they don't.
vont
font (hear the fricative?)
Mme
You are correct that "je vais" (I go), "je fais" (I do/make), "ils vont" (they go), and "ils font" (they do/make) might sound similar in spoken French. However, there are a few clues that can help you differentiate between them:
1. Verb Conjugation: Pay attention to the verb conjugations. In the present tense, "vais" is the first-person singular form of the verb "aller" (to go), while "fais" is the first-person singular form of the verb "faire" (to do/make). On the other hand, "vont" is the third-person plural form of "aller," and "font" is the third-person plural form of "faire."
2. Pronouns: Look for the subject pronouns that accompany these verbs. "Je" means "I," and "ils" means "they." If you hear a sentence with "je vais" or "je fais," it refers to the speaker doing something. On the other hand, if you hear a sentence with "ils vont" or "ils font," it refers to a group of people doing something.
3. Context: Consider the context of the sentence. The meaning of "je vais" (I go) and "je fais" (I do/make) is often clarified by the surrounding words. Similarly, "ils vont" (they go) and "ils font" (they do/make) make sense based on the context in which they are used.
By paying attention to verb conjugations, pronouns, and the context of the sentence, you can discern the difference between "je vais," "je fais," "ils vont," and "ils font" in spoken French. Additionally, with practice and exposure to the language, your ear will become more attuned to these distinctions.