How do you form the perfect tense, le passé composé?

the perfect tense, le passé composé, expresses completed actions in the past. It is composed of -the auxiliary verb (avoir ou être) conjugated in the present tense - followed by the past participle of the verb conjugated in the perfect tense e.g. Le garçon a perdu son portable. The auxiliary verb is être for verbs of movement and for reflexive verbs; otherwise it is avoir. e.g. Le train est parti à l'heure : PARTIR is a verb of movement, the auxiliary is être Tu t'es réveillé en retard ce matin! : SE REVEILLER is a reflexive verb, the auxiliary is être Le chien a mangé le repas de son maître : MANGER is not a verb of movement or a reflexive verb - it takes avoir

ER
Answered by Elena R. French tutor

2959 Views

See similar French GCSE tutors

Related French GCSE answers

All answers ▸

How do you translate: "Je suis allé en Bretagne pendant le mois d'aout" ?


How do you construct the past tense in French?


What is the difference between the perfect and the imperfect tense and when is it appropriate to use them?


How do you form the future tense in French?


We're here to help

contact us iconContact ustelephone icon+44 (0) 203 773 6020
Facebook logoInstagram logoLinkedIn logo

MyTutor is part of the IXL family of brands:

© 2026 by IXL Learning