Passé composé with être

Foreign Languages

Definition

The passé composé with être is used with a specific group of French verbs (mainly verbs of motion and state change) and all reflexive verbs. The past participle must agree in gender and number with the subject. The classic mnemonic 'DR MRS VANDERTRAMP' helps remember which verbs use être.

How It Works

  1. Determine if the verb uses être (motion/state-change verbs or reflexive verbs).
  2. Conjugate 'être' in the present tense to match the subject.
  3. Form the past participle of the main verb.
  4. Make the past participle agree with the subject in gender and number (add -e for feminine, -s for plural, -es for feminine plural).

Examples

  • 'Elle est allée au cinéma' — She went to the movies (feminine -e added)
  • 'Ils sont partis à huit heures' — They left at eight o'clock (masculine plural -s added)
  • 'Je me suis levé(e) tôt' — I got up early (reflexive verb, agreement with subject)
Key Fact

DR MRS VANDERTRAMP verbs: Devenir, Revenir, Monter, Rester, Sortir, Venir, Aller, Naître, Descendre, Entrer, Retourner, Tomber, Rentrer, Arriver, Mourir, Partir.

Related Terms

Passé composé with avoir Être and avoir Imparfait basics Reflexive verbs

Study This Concept

Practice passé composé with être with free review games in these units:

French 1-2 Unit 11: Past Tense (Passé Composé)