French Grammar Guide for non-francophones

Passé Composé (e.g.: j'ai parlé)

In this section: Description, Questions, Exercises

Questions

Questions about the Passé Composé

Q: Why is it j'ai aimé and NOT j'ai aimer?

The passé composé is formed with the present of avoir, followed by a past participle (not the infinitive).

Q: Why is it il a su and NOT il a savé?

 The verb savoir has an irregular past participle (su).

Q: Why is it Elle a vu and NOT Elle a vue?

One does not make agreement with a subject when the auxiliary verb is avoir.

Q: Why is it Les livres que j'ai lus and NOT Les livres que j'ai lu?

Since livres is a plural direct object (it answers the question "what?") that precedes the verb, the past participle must show plural agreement.

Tags: verbs passé composé imparfait imperfect past past participle
In this section: Description, Questions, Exercises
Verb conjugation:

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