aux (à + les)

Contraction a + Les = Aux

Level 1

à + les = aux

How It Works

The word aux is a mandatory contraction in French. It is used whenever you need to combine the preposition à with the plural definite article les.

Key Rules:

  • Mandatory: Unlike English contractions (like 'don't'), French contractions are not optional. Saying 'à les' is always a grammatical error when 'les' is an article.
  • Gender Neutral: Aux is used for both masculine and feminine plural nouns.
  • Pronunciation: The 'x' is usually silent. However, if the following word starts with a vowel or a silent 'h', you must perform a liaison, pronouncing the 'x' as a [z] sound (e.g., aux enfants).

When NOT to contract:
Do not use aux if 'les' is a direct object pronoun (meaning 'them') rather than an article. For example: Je continue à les voir (I continue to see them).

Examples (4)

  1. Il a envoyé des invitations aux journalistes.

    He sent invitations to the journalists.

    Word by Word: He has sent some invitations to-the journalists.

    Here, 'à' + 'les' (plural journalists) becomes 'aux'.

  2. Nous allons passer nos vacances aux États-Unis.

    We are going to spend our holidays in the United States.

    Word by Word: We are going to spend our holidays in-the States-United.

    Since 'États-Unis' is plural, 'à' becomes 'aux'. Note the [z] liaison sound between 'aux' and 'États'.

  3. Elle s'intéresse beaucoup aux arts plastiques.

    She is very interested in the visual arts.

    Word by Word: She herself interests much to-the arts plastic.

    The verb 's'intéresser à' requires the preposition 'à', which contracts with 'les arts'.

  4. Je donne des bonbons aux enfants.

    I give candies to the children.

    Word by Word: I give some candies to-the children.

    A simple example of 'aux' used with a plural noun starting with a vowel.

Common Mistakes

  • Using 'à les' instead of the contraction 'aux'.

    Je parle à les étudiants.
    Je parle aux étudiants.

    In French, 'à les' must always contract to 'aux' when followed by a noun.

  • Thinking 'aux' is only for masculine nouns.

    Je parle à les filles.
    Je parle aux filles.

    While the singular 'au' is only masculine, the plural 'aux' is used for both masculine and feminine nouns.

How It Connects

Tap a pattern to see what it builds on and what it leads to.

aux (à + les)Level 1Contraction a + Les = Aux

Learn This First

To understand 'aux', you must first be familiar with the plural definite article 'les' and the general concept of article contractions in French, specifically how 'à' combines with articles.

Words in This Pattern