Asked by Peeps

Ne [verb] pas
N' [verb beginning with a vowel] pas

Why would habite have a n' in front of it (n'habite pas), not Ne habite pas? H is not a vowel (right)? Just asking because I got it wrong on a test when I put Ne habite pas.
Answered by Peeps
Is it because habite is pronounced with out the h?
Answered by Ms. Sue
The French don't sound the h, so it's treated as a voiceless vowel at the beginning of a word.
Answered by Peeps
Ohh, ok thanks Ms. Sue.
Answered by Ms. Sue
You're welcome, Peeps.
Answered by SraJMcGin
There are actually two "h's" in French. In th e dictionary, when you see an asterisk (*) it means that that is a "voiced/sounded" h. Ordinarily, the "h" is unvoiced/unsounded, as Ms. Sue explained. Then the first sound you hear is the "vowel" after it; in this case it the "a" which is why it is je n'habite pas BUT hacher* = to grind = je ne hache pas.

Sra (aka Mme)
Answered by Peeps
Ok thanks for helping me understand about the letter h in French SraJMcGin :). I wonder why my French teacher didn't mention this before.
Answered by SraJMcGin
It could depend upon your level of French, but that was an excellent question, showing you notice things!

Sra (aka Mme)
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