Understanding the Past Subjunctive

The video tutorial explains the use of the past subjunctive in French, focusing on its application when the action in the subordinate clause precedes the main clause. It details the formation of the past subjunctive using auxiliary verbs 'être' or 'avoir' in the present subjunctive and a past participle. The tutorial also covers agreement rules for past participles, highlighting differences when using 'être' and 'avoir'. Examples illustrate verbs that use these auxiliaries, including movement and pronominal verbs, and how direct objects affect verb agreement.

When is the past subjunctive used in a sentence?

• When neither action is completed.

• When the main clause action happens before the subordinate clause action.

• When the subordinate clause action happens before the main clause action.

• When both actions happen simultaneously.

What are the two components needed to form the past subjunctive?

• A noun and an adjective.

• A main verb and a direct object.

• An auxiliary verb and a past participle.

• A subject and a predicate.

Which auxiliary verb is typically used with most past participles in the past subjunctive?

• 'faire'

• 'avoir'

• 'aller'

• 'être'

How does the past participle agree when using 'avoir' as the auxiliary verb?

• With the sentence mood.

• With the verb tense.

• With the direct object in number and gender.

• With the subject in number and gender.

Which of the following verbs uses 'être' as a helping verb?

• Manger

• Choisir

• Parler

• Aller

What is the past participle agreement rule when using 'être'?

• It agrees with the verb tense.

• It remains unchanged.

• It agrees with the subject in number and gender.

• It agrees with the direct object.

What happens to the meaning of 'descendre' when used with 'avoir'?

• It means to climb.

• It means to stay.

• It means to take down.

• It means to go down.

Which verb changes its meaning to 'to bring in' when used with 'avoir'?

• Monter

• Sortir

• Rentrer

• Passer

Which verb can use both 'avoir' and 'être' as auxiliary verbs?

• Descendre

• Manger

• Parler

• Choisir

What does 'monter' mean when used with 'être'?

• To go up

• To take up

• To bring in

• To go down