Podcast
Questions and Answers
Which of the following verbs requires the auxiliary verb 'être' in the passé composé?
Which of the following verbs requires the auxiliary verb 'être' in the passé composé?
How does the past participle agree when using 'être' with a feminine singular subject?
How does the past participle agree when using 'être' with a feminine singular subject?
What is the past participle of the verb 'faire'?
What is the past participle of the verb 'faire'?
Which sentence correctly uses the past participle agreement for a reflexive verb?
Which sentence correctly uses the past participle agreement for a reflexive verb?
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Which of the following is NOT a Dr.& Mrs.Vandertramp verb?
Which of the following is NOT a Dr.& Mrs.Vandertramp verb?
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Study Notes
Le Passé Composé - Past Composed Tense
- Used for actions completed in the past.
- Formed using an auxiliary verb (avoir or être) + past participle.
- Example: J'ai mangé (I ate).
Irregular Past Participles
- Some verbs have irregular past participles, not following typical -er, -ir, -re patterns.
- Memorize these irregular forms:
- Avoir (to have): eu
- Être (to be): été
- Faire (to do): fait
- Prendre (to take): pris
- Voir (to see): vu
- Vouloir (to want): voulu
- Mettre (to put): mis
- Dire (to say): dit
- Pouvoir (to be able to): pu
- Savoir (to know): su
Le Passé Composé with Être (to be)
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Some verbs use être as the auxiliary verb instead of avoir.
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Primarily used with reflexive verbs and verbs of "movement" or "change of state".
- Includes verbs like devenir, revenir, monter, rester, sortir, venir, aller, naître, descendre, entrer, retourner, tomber, rentrer, arriver, mourir, partir.
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Past participle agrees in gender and number with subject when using être:
- Masculine singular: no change
- Feminine singular: add -e
- Masculine plural: add -s
- Feminine plural: add -es
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Example: Elle est allée (She went), Ils sont partis (They left).
Reflexive Verbs in Passé Composé
- Used for reflexive actions (e.g., se laver - to wash oneself).
- Always use être as the auxiliary verb.
- Past participle agrees with the subject unless a direct object follows the verb.
- Example: Je me suis lavé(e) (I washed myself); Elle s’est lavée (She washed herself). BUT: Elle s’est lavé les mains (She washed her hands).
Quick Tips
- Identify if the verb uses avoir or être.
- Memorize irregular past participles and specific verbs using être.
- Reflexive verbs always use être as the auxiliary verb.
- Pay attention to participle agreement when using être.
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Description
Test your knowledge on the passé composé, a crucial French tense used for completed actions. This quiz covers regular and irregular past participles, as well as the usage of auxiliary verbs avoir and être. Challenge yourself with examples and identify how past participles agree in gender and number!
