Le passé composé avec être

Le passé composé avec être

"Les seize"

Le passé composé avec étre

Most verbs in French use "avoir" as their auxiliary verb in the past tense (ex: Les étudiants ont fait le travail.), but there are 16 other main verbs that use "être" as their auxiliary verb instead. To remember that there are 16 of them, you can call them "les seize".

"Les seize"

Multiple Select

What do all of "les seize" seem to have in common?

• They all have the same endings.

• They're all action verbs.

• They're all reflexive verbs, meaning the action is done to oneself.

Open Ended

Which of "les seize" have you already learned in the present tense, or already know the definition of? Which of the verbs are absolutely brand-new to you?

"Les seize" just have to be memorized. There are various ways you can do this. Choose the method you prefer.

• Use the pneumonic DR MRS VANDERTRAMP (each letter stands for a different verb)

• Use the pneumonic ADVENT to memorize 12/16...each letter stands for a different verb and it's OPPOSITE (a little imperfect, however) 

• Use an illustration or visual (there are many online, some good, some bad)

• Use or create a song

• Or create your own pneumonic or memorization strategy!

Open Ended

Try to list all of "les seize" using one of the pneumonics from the previous page (DR MRS VANDERTRAMP or ADVENT). Which was more useful to you, or do you think you'll create your own way to memorize "les seize"? Explain.

Multiple Choice

Remember that in the past tense with "être", the past participle must agree (in gender & number) with the subject of the sentence. Which sentence below does NOT follow this rule & is incorrect?

• Sophie est montée dans la voiture.

• Antoine et son frère sont sortis.

• Andréa est arrivés avec Pierre.

• Nous somme partis l'église à 11h.