Explain why the verb ‘mettre’ in its past tense form as it appears in the following sentence “Il a décroché la casserole et l’a mise sur la table” has a feminine ending or terminaison (despite the auxiliary’s verb ‘avoir’’s neutrality)?

Generally the past participle doesn’t agree with any noun when the auxiliary verb ‘avoir’ is used. For example: ‘Elles ont acheté des bottes’ despite the subject ‘elles’ and the direct object ‘bottes’ being feminine and plural. 

Notwithstanding, when the direct object precedes the past participle verb, the latter agrees with it: ‘J’ai rangé les bottes qu’elles avaient achetées’. 

In the majority of cases, the conjunction ‘que’ which refers back to the direct object prompts this change in verb/noun agreement. 

In the initial question, ‘l’a mise’ refers back to the casserole. 

CH
Answered by Clemency H. French tutor

2642 Views

See similar French GCSE tutors

Related French GCSE answers

All answers ▸

Translate into French: HI, my name is Claudia, I am sixteen years old and I am in year 11. I used to live in America with my Dad.


What is the difference between the passé composé and the imparfait tenses?


How do I know when to use avoir or être as the auxiliary verb in the perfect tense?


Peux-tu me donner du vocabulaire pour évoquer le thème du voyage et du tourisme?


We're here to help

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

© MyTutorWeb Ltd 2013–2025

Terms & Conditions|Privacy Policy
Cookie Preferences