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Participe passé
The past participle is a verb form with several roles. It’s essential in the creation of compound verb tenses/moods and the passive voice, and it can also be used as an adjective.
The French past participle usually ends in -é, -i, or -u, and is equivalent to –ed or –en in English. It has three primary uses.
1) Compound verb forms
Compound verb tenses and moods are two-word verb forms made up of a conjugated auxiliary verb (avoir or être) plus a past participle.
Par exemple…
| Compound verb form | ||
| J’ai perdu mes clés. | I lost my keys. | passé composé |
| J’étais déjà tombé. | I had already fallen. | pluperfect |
| Je l’aurai essayé. | I will have tried it. | future perfect |
2) Passive voice
Être plus a past participle forms the passive voice.
Par exemple…
| Paris est aimé de tous. | Paris is loved by all. | |
| Les stations-service sont souvent braquées. | Gas stations are often held up. | |
| Le mariage sera suivi d’une réception. | The wedding will be followed by a reception. |
3) Adjectives
When used as an adjective, the French past participle may be equivalent in English to a past or present participle, or to a regular adjective.
Par exemple…
| Il y a une voiture arrêtée au carrefour. | There’s a stopped car in the intersection. | |
| Les enfants sont assis dans le salon. | The kids are sitting in the living room. | |
| Pourquoi est-elle fâchée ? | Why is she angry? |
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