#9 : Perfect tense summarised

Confusing stuffs for Lauren

This morning, I revised ‘perfect tense’, which many learners like me get easily confused. Not only we need to memorise how it is formed, but we also need to take into consideration of certain verbs that first do not follow regular past participle, and other verbs that uses ‘être’ instead of ‘avoir’.

Of course some of us will understand (who already mastered ‘perfect tense’) what I have just written down, but most of learners will get more confused.

Many will advise, “revision is the key!” however is it really? I have to say yes, but at the same time, I would like to emphasise the importance of making things logical even though things are not very logical like French. 💀🇫🇷❤️

I would say who have already learnt ‘perfect tense’ will take the most advantage of this post. C’est parti!

Just a heads up, I'm not a professional teacher, but rather another learner. The information I share might not be entirely accurate.

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1. Perfect Tense - The Big Frame

Perfect tense is one way to say what happened in the past. I remember I got very excited finally learning past tense, but the excitement didn’t last quite long and I am still making mistakes and still learning!

yes you and me, BOTH of US

First of all, to form a ‘perfect tense’ we need the Big Frame:

Avoir or Être  + Past Participle

Remember to form a tense, you are altering the verb in the sentence. Even though there are two words, these are just a set of verbs to make the past.

I call [auxiliary verb(avoir and être in this case) + past participle] the Big Frame, because everything stems out from here. Even though you do not recall the details, make sure you chip the big frame in your head. In this way when you revise you can bring things back easy.

2. Past Participle

Past Participle is a participle that expresses completed action.

In English we put ‘-ed’. What is equivalent in French?

‘-é’ ‘-u’ ‘-i’ and irregulars(i.e. other verbs that do not follow é, u , i endings)

I personally over complicated French past participles, however it is no more than the above. When we first learn past participle, we usually dedicate the whole class and I believe that is why we tend to overrate its complexity. Of course it is necessary to learn in depth when we are first introduced, but after that I believe it is also important to simplify things. If you want to check out the details of past participles, find the post below.

3. Avoir or Être?

To form perfect tense, what do we need?

The Big Frame → Avoir or Être and Past Participle

We just touched past participle, now it is time to simplify how we use avoir and être.

You ready?

Most of the verbs, we use avoir.

Some of the verbs, we use être.

That’s it! 😁

Then what are the ‘some of the verbs’ that we use être?

Actions = that are in La Maison D’être = the famous name “MRS VANDERTRAMP”

: aller, venir, entrer, sortir, arriver, partir, monter, descendre, naître, mourir, rentrer, retourner, revenir, rester, tomber

Many instructors teach us, “oh, if it is an action we use être.” Personally I was very confused with this definition when I first learn the perfect tense, because what about naître(to be born) and mourir(to die)? In my head it did not register intuitively as an action for these two. Then what about danser(to dance)? It is also action but it is not used with être?

For me, it was easier to get familiarised with the verbs first, and then consider, “okay, these are motions.”

There are many ways to memorise these verbs, using this famous name, “MRS VANDERTRAMP” or for the fellows who have photographic memory you can photograph with your eyes La Maison D’être.

Also, if you think about motions can you think of something?

Reflexive verbs!

If you have a closer look at the lists of reflexive verbs you will figure they are also actions.

4. Okay, then? I remember there was something else…

If you are using avoir,

You are done!

If you are using être, there is a one last step,

Match its gender and numbers!

Is it feminine or masculine? Is it singular or plural? That’s it 🍓

I know it is all over the place but kind of logical - if it’s this then this, if it is that then go that way, but if it has this condition finalise with this etc.

5. So are we really finished?

Yes, my written summary is finished. I tried my best to concise the contents, but I know there are a lot of contents from the nature of this tense.

If you have already learnt forming perfect tense before I am sure you will profit so much from this article.

This is the final summary of the perfect tense in one page.

I wish I have a good graphic design skill to make this better like ‘A Cup of French’ lady haha but here is my summary in one page.

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When you have a moment, answer my question, what did you do yesterday? Try make a paragraph in French! I will try first.

“Je me suis levée à cinq heures et demi à cause du bruit. J’ai fait du café au lieu du thé. Je suis allée à l’hôpital ce matin-là. Après le rendez-vous j’ai encore bu un café parce que c’était gratuit.

Je me suis promenée dans cet après-midi-là. J’ai vu des fleurs.

Ensuite, j’ai pris une douche et j’ai fait une sieste. Je crois que le café était un décaféiné parce que j’ai dormi pendant 4 heures pour une sieste.”

After learning perfect tense in depth, revise with my article. Try to make a few sentences in French. If you are too scared to make sentences, I recommend you to make sentences first in English and run translate app. If you spot the perfect tense learn from there! For example :

Here I used only one sentence, but have it a go writing a paragraph in English and read in French first.

Also, you can check whether your writing is correct with the translation or ask ChatGPT for explanation. I am grateful that I live in this generation! haha

Now, it is up to you, bonne chance les amis! 🍀

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