Question

for je vais, je fais, ils vont, ils font, they sound the same don't they? how can i tell the difference?

Answer 1

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

Answer 2

P.S. Actually in "f" the vocal chords do NOT vibrate but in "v" they do.

Mme

Answer 3

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