Euphonic Inversion

Inversion euphonique

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When inversion results in a hiatus (two vowel sounds together), the letter -t must be added for euphony, but only

1. with the subject pronouns il, elle, and on
2. when the verb ends in a vowel

Par exemple…

il aime	>	aime-t-il
elle parle	>	parle-t-elle
on a	>	a-t-on
il y a	>	y a-t-il

 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]

 However, -t is not added when the verb ends in a consonant, because that consonant makes a required liaison with the vowel that follows so there’s no need for the euphonic -t.

il sait	>	sait-il		sait-t-il
elle met	>	met-elle		met-t-elle
on prend	>	prend-on		prend-t-on

 Related lessons

• Introduction to inversion
• Word order with inversion
• Euphony
• Liaisons
• Schwa / e instable
• Subject pronouns
• Verbs

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