''J'ai'' versus ''Je'

Alexander A.A0Kwiziq community member

''J'ai'' versus ''Je'

Is there any difference between Je vu des fleurs and J'ai vu des fleurs?; i am wondering why ''J'ai ''instead of  ''Je'' .

Asked 3 years ago
Jim J.C1 Kwiziq Q&A super contributor Correct answer

Hi Alexander,

To write "J'ai vu des fleurs" is correct in the sense of "I have seen some flowers"

You cannot write "Je vu des fleurs" but you could write "Je vois des fleurs" --> "I see some flowers"

You have to write J'ai rather than je ai to avoid two vowels appearing one after the other for phonetic reasons.

Hope this helps to aid your understanding.

Jim

Chris W.C1 Kwiziq Q&A super contributor

Jim's right. J'ai vu... is talking about the past (passé composé tense) and "je vois..." is talking about the present (present tense). "Je vu..." is incorrect. It would be like saing "I seen..." in English.

''J'ai'' versus ''Je'

Is there any difference between Je vu des fleurs and J'ai vu des fleurs?; i am wondering why ''J'ai ''instead of  ''Je'' .

Sign in to submit your answer

Don't have an account yet? Join today

Ask a question

Find your French level for FREE

Test your French to the CEFR standard

Find your French level
Clever stuff happening!