The French language is full of exceptions and nasty rules when it comes to its grammar and orthography. This series of posts will give you some tricks to remember them quite easily.
If you can replace in a sentence à or a (the present form of the verb avoir, to have) by avait (the imperfect indicative of the same verb), and it still makes sense, then you have to choose a over à.
“J’ai été à la piscine” (I’ve been to the swimming-pool), would give “J’ai été avait la piscine”, which does not sounds right as it has two verbs at the same time (ai été and avait).
In this case, you should use à with the grave accent.
“Il a mangé” (He’s eaten), would give “Il avait mangé” (He had eaten), which sounds good, even if the meaning has changed a bit.
In this case, you should use a with no accent.
Don’t forget to upvote this post if you would like me to present other French grammar tricks, and leave a comment if you want me to deal with a specific grammatic point.
Hi Mancko, thank you for your grammar tips. Here in Geneva, I am following an intensive French course and I have some problems with the accents (especially the é one), have you some tricks to give? Thank you and have a good day! Carlotta