This key facts covers Key rules at a glance within Numbers, dates and times by ear for GCSE French. Revise Numbers, dates and times by ear in Listening Traps for GCSE French with 15 exam-style questions and 15 flashcards. This topic shows up very often in GCSE exams, so students should be able to explain it clearly, not just recognise the term. It is section 3 of 4 in this topic. Use this key facts to connect the idea to the wider topic before moving on to questions and flashcards.
📌 Key rules at a glance
- 70: soixante-dix (NOT septante — never used in AQA standard French)
- 80: quatre-vingts — loses the -s before another number
- 71: soixante et onze — the ONLY number in the 70s with et
- 81: quatre-vingt-un — NO et here (contrast with 71)
- 100: cent; 200 = deux cents; 201 = deux cent un (no -s when followed by more)
- Dates: le + cardinal except le premier (1st)
- Time: il est + heures — never c'est; midi and minuit are special
- Sound-alike pairs: listen for the final consonant — deux [dø] vs douze [duz]
Practice questions for Numbers, dates and times by ear
What does 'soixante-dix' mean in English?
Which of the following correctly explains why 'quatre-vingts' means 80?
Quick recall flashcards
coûter
to cost — 'Ça coûte combien?' = How much does it cost? Note the accent circonflexe on û.
environ
about / approximately — 'environ cinquante personnes' = about 50 people. Important: makes the exact number uncertain.