DELF A1 grammar: être, avoir and small words before nouns
Build a first sentence without mixing up am, have, a and the.
In short
6 words and phrases with examples, and a 3-question quiz.
On this page
Choose the verb
être
Use it for identity, description and location.
More examples
Present: je suis, tu es, il/elle/on est, nous sommes, vous êtes, ils/elles sont.
avoir
Use it for possession, age and expressions such as hunger.
More examples
Present: j’ai, tu as, il/elle/on a, nous avons, vous avez, ils/elles ont.
Choose the small word
un / une / des
A, an or some: introduce something not yet identified.
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Un goes with a masculine noun; une with a feminine noun; des is plural.
le / la / l’ / les
The: identify something, or talk about a category in general.
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Use l’ before a vowel or a mute h: l’école (the school), l’hôtel (the hotel). An aspirated h blocks this: le haricot (the bean).
masculin / féminin
The noun controls the article and its adjective.
More examples
Learn the article with each noun. Before a vowel, use mon even with a feminine noun: mon amie = my female friend.
Ask and answer
est-ce que… ?
Put this before a normal statement to make a yes/no question.
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The subject stays before the verb. Est-ce que becomes est-ce qu’ before a vowel.
Quick practice
Try it yourself
Choose an answer, then check it.
Complete the sentence about age.
Now make it yours
Describe a person and something they own.
- Choose être for who or where; avoir for possession.
- Pick the article that matches the noun.
- Turn one sentence into a question with est-ce que.
See one possible answer
When is your exam?
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Use this in a lesson
- Read the examplesRead together, then hide the English for recall.
- Work in pairsGive each learner a person and an object. Their partner asks one question with être and one with avoir. Swap cards and roles.
- Check togetherCompare answers and discuss why they fit.