Le Passé Composé in French

Overview

• Past tense used for completed actions in the past.
• Composed of two parts:
  • Auxiliary (helping) verb (either 'avoir' or 'être') conjugated in the present tense.
  • Main verb in its past participle form.

Usage

• Used for one-time, completed actions in the past.
• Example: "Elle a vendu sa voiture" (She sold her car).

Conjugation Patterns

ER Verbs

• Remove "ER", add "é" (e.g., parler -> parlé).

IR Verbs

• Remove "IR", add "i" (e.g., choisir -> choisi).

RE Verbs

• Remove "RE", add "u" (e.g., vendre -> vendu).

Irregular Past Participles

• Many verbs have irregular past participles.
• Common irregulars listed separately.

Choosing Auxiliary: 'Avoir' vs 'Être'

• Use 'avoir' by default.
• Use 'être' with Dr. and Mrs. Vandertramp verbs (mostly movement/change of setting).
  • Example Verbs: aller, venir, entrer, sortir, etc.
  • Note: Some can use 'avoir' if there's a direct object (e.g., "J'ai sorti mes devoirs" - I took out my homework).

Agreement in Gender and Number

• For Dr. and Mrs. Vandertramp verbs:
  • Past participle agrees with the subject in gender and number.
  • Examples:
    • "Elle est allée au cinéma" (add 'e' for female).
    • "Ils sont allés" (add 's' for a group of males/mixed group).
    • "Elles sont allées" (add 'es' for a group of females).

Reflexive Verbs

• Always use 'être' as auxiliary.
• Action reflects back onto the subject (identified with "se").
• Examples: se brosser, se raser, se laver.

Conjugation of Reflexive Verbs

• Subject + reflexive pronoun + être + past participle.
• Reflexive Pronouns:
  • je -> me
  • tu -> te
  • il/elle/on -> se
  • nous -> nous
  • vous -> vous
  • ils/elles -> se
• Example: "Je me suis habillé" (I got dressed).

Additional Notes

• L'accord du participe passé (agreement of the past participle) is complex; to be covered in a future lesson.
• Practice and exposure are key to mastering "le passé composé".

Conclusion

• Encourage further practice and review.
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