🔀 Lesson 23 – Optional connections
Discover the connections you can choose to make or not
📘 1. Simple explanation
The connection optional is a liaison that you can choose to make or not. It's a matter of style and context.
✅ With connection
We're arriving (more smoothly)
✅ No connection
We arrive (just as correctly)
💡 Tip:
In formal or elevated language, the liaison is often made. In informal speech, it can be omitted.
✨ 2. Examples
They've finished.
/ilz‿ɔ̃/ or /il ɔ̃/
Both are correct
We'll be there right away.
/ɔ̃n‿aʁiv/ or /ɔ̃ aʁiv/
Both are correct
We have a problem.
/nuz‿avɔ̃/ or /nu avɔ̃/
Both are correct
🎯 Important rule
Optional liaisons often involve plural pronouns (ils, nous, vous) followed by a verb beginning with a vowel. The choice depends on the register of language.
💬 3. Mini-situation
The chef:
« We're arriving Soon ! "»
Sometimes you can hear the liaison, sometimes you can't.
An employee:
«" All right, We have "Almost finished."»
Both versions are possible.
📝 Note:
In a professional context, liaison is often used for more formal language. But both options are perfectly acceptable!
📚 4. Vocabulary
they
pronoun (they)
on
pronoun (we/one)
arrive
verb (to arrive)
finish
verb (to finish)
work
name (work)
💪 Pronunciation exercise:
Try both versions: "on arrive" without liaison, then "on arrive" with liaison. Can you hear the difference?
✍️ 5. Interactive exercise
Circle the sentence with possible linking
1. Choose the option with connection possible :
2. In this sentence, is liaison possible?
«"We need help."»
3. Which of these bonds is optional ?
🖼️ 6. Image idea for memorization
People arriving at work
🏢 Scene to view:
- Employees arriving at the office
- A company building
- People in professional attire
- Access cards and computers
💭 Match this image with:
- ""We're arriving" → the arriving employees
- ""We have" → work meeting
- The workplace → formal context
🌟 Memory tip:
Visualize this professional scene. In this context, you can CHOOSE to use liaison for more formal language, but it's not mandatory!
English 
French
No Comments