"a"
* Function: A indefinite article, meaning "a" or "an".
* Pronunciation: Pronounced like the English "a" in "father".
Examples:
* un apple (an apple)
* une autoroute (a highway)
"à"
* Function: A preposition, meaning "to" or "at".
* Pronunciation: Pronounced like the English "ah" in "father" (but shorter).
Examples:
* Je vais à l'école (I am going to school)
* Il est à Paris (He is in Paris)
Key Differences:
* Function: "a" is an article, while "à" is a preposition.
* Pronunciation: "a" is pronounced like the English "a" in "father", while "à" is pronounced like the English "ah" in "father".
Remember: "à" is often used before a noun or pronoun, while "a" is used before a singular noun.
It's important to note that while these are the main differences, there are some cases where "a" can be used as a preposition (like "aller à la plage" meaning "to go to the beach"). However, these cases are less common and usually require specific contexts.