Understanding Structure
To create a sentence in the passe compose, how many verbs do you need to use?
Two
I played.
J'ai joué.
You sold.
Tu as vendu.
She finished.
Elle a fini.
We didn't play.
Nous n'avons pas joué.
What is the name of the first verb used to create the passe compose?
the helper verb (or auxilliary verb)
We talked.
Nous avons parlé.
They (f) lost.
Elles ont perdu.
All of you chose.
Vous avez choisi.
You didn't choose.
Tu n'as pas choisi.
What is the name of the second verb used to create the passe compose?
the past participle
She ate.
Elle a mangé.
He waited.
Il a attendu.
You obeyed.
Tu as obei.
I didn't finish.
Je n'ai pas fini.
For MOST verbs (not the special 17 verbs or reflexives) what is the helper verb?
AVOIR
All of you washed.
Vous avez lavé.
We heard.
Nous avons entendu.
I filled up.
J'ai rempli.
They (f) didn't visit.
Elles n'ont pas visité.
How do you make a sentence in the passe compose negative? Where do you put the N' and the PAS?
around the helper verb
They (m) danced.
Ils ont dansé.
I answered.
J'ai repondu.
They (m) succeeded.
Ils ont reussi.
He didn't give.
Il n'as pas donné.