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Even though there are no difficulties with the open and the closed e, we would like to have a look at the graphemes of the closed e, because here we have e,
é.
(The sound of the closed e is like the one in bed.)
|
Closed e |
 |
 |
nez
(nose)
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| pied
(foot)
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| poignée
(fist)
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| messieurs
(gentlemen)
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|
Now the question is why there is sometimes an e and sometimes
é. And to our surprise, there is a system in this as you will see in the following.
1) If a word has an é in the beginning it is the sign to pronounce it as closed e.
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Examples |
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|
 |
écrire
|
to write |
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|
évader |
to escape |
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|
éveiller |
to wake up |
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étude |
study |
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2) If an e is pronounced in the end of a word (in opposite to the unvoiced e or a tubby e) it also receives and accent and is the é.
| A pronounced closed e in the end of a word is é |
|
|
fané |
faded |
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pré |
meadow |
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obscurité |
darkness |
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3) An e receives an accent before a new syllable, when it is pronounced as closed e.
| Examples |
|
|
immédiat |
immediately |
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compléter |
to complete |
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génération |
generation |
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généralment |
generally |
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guérison |
healing |
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intérim |
meantime |
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4) Bevore sc, x or double consonants there is never an accent, however the e is pronounced a closed one:
|
Examples |
| |
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exercise |
exercise |
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intéressant |
interesting |
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flexible |
flexible |
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descendre |
to descent |
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