How do you know when to pronounce the s?
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TorbjørnKwiziq community member
How do you know when to pronounce the s?
This question relates to:French lesson "De plus en plus and de moins en moins = more and more and less and less (comparisons with adjectives, adverbs, verbs)"
Asked 4 years ago

AurélieKwiziq team member
Bonjour Torbjørn !
In the case of "de plus en plus", here's the pronunciation rules:
- the first "s" is pronounced [z] as a liaison is made with "en"
- as for the second "s", it depends:
-> if it's followed by an adjective/adverb ("de plus en plus gentil" / "de plus en plus vite"), then the second "s" is MUTE.
-> if the expression is used on its own ("Il fume de plus en plus."), then the second "s" is pronounced [s].
I hope that's helpful!
À bientôt !
MargoKwiziq community member
But in the examples the second s is pronounced before the adverb lentement. Also, in another example, the s is pronounced before the preposition, avec----is there a rule for the second s followed by prepositions? How strict are these rules? I just feel like winging it. Thanks for your advice. I love KWIZiq!
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