Choosing between avoir and être in the passé composé
We use the auxiliary avoir for most verbs.
Marcel et Muriel ont acheté un plan de Paris. Marcel and Muriel bought a map of Paris.
Victor a organisé une fête. J’ai adoré sa fête ! Victor organised a party. I loved his party!
Victor a organisé une fête. J’ai adoré sa fête ! Victor organised a party. I loved his party!
We use the auxiliary être:
• for these 14 verbs (which describe a certain change in state or direction): naître, mourir, monter, descendre, venir, aller, entrer, sortir, arriver, partir, tomber, rester, passer, retourner
• for these 14 verbs (which describe a certain change in state or direction): naître, mourir, monter, descendre, venir, aller, entrer, sortir, arriver, partir, tomber, rester, passer, retourner
Victor est parti à 4 heures. Victor left at 4am.
Je suis arrivé en retard. I arrived late.
Je suis arrivé en retard. I arrived late.
• for verbes pronominaux (pronominal verbs) (se lever, se dépêcher, etc…):
Il s'est levé tard ce matin. He got up late this morning.
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