we are learning about the passe compose, and about using irregular verbs like voir and lire, so do we just have to memorize the irregular verb forms? will -er verbs always end with an "e" with an accent mark? merci!
When it comes to using irregular verbs in the passé composé, it is important to understand the general patterns that certain irregular verbs follow. In the case of the verbs "voir" (to see) and "lire" (to read), you don't have to memorize all the different forms, but rather identify the similarities between these irregular verbs and the regular ones.
For example, in the passé composé, both "voir" and "lire" form their past participles by adding an "u" at the end. So, for "voir," the past participle is "vu" and for "lire," it is "lu." This pattern helps you form the compound tenses of these verbs.
To conjugate these verbs in the passé composé, you will also need to use the auxiliary verb "avoir" (to have) plus the past participle of the verb. For example:
- J'ai vu (I saw)
- Tu as vu (You saw)
- Il/Elle/On a vu (He/She/One saw)
- Nous avons vu (We saw)
- Vous avez vu (You saw - formal or plural)
- Ils/Elles ont vu (They saw)
Regarding your question about -er verbs, in the passé composé, the ending depends on the gender and number of the subject. For singular subjects of any gender (-e) is added at the end, and for plural subjects, (-es) is added. For example:
- J'ai parlé (I spoke)
- Tu as parlé (You spoke)
- Il/Elle/On a parlé (He/She/One spoke)
- Nous avons parlé (We spoke)
- Vous avez parlé (You spoke)
- Ils/Elles ont parlé (They spoke)
So, to summarize, while it is essential to understand the patterns and principles behind conjugating irregular verbs in the passé composé, you won't necessarily need to memorize every form individually. By recognizing the similarities and understanding how to form the past participle, you can successfully conjugate irregular verbs in this tense.
Er verbs don't always end with an "e" with an accent mark.
in the passe compose? what are some examples when it's like that?
oh, sorry, not in the passe compose...
Let's explain it this way. The passé composé is a "compound tense" and that means it uses the auxiliary verb (avoir) or (être) plus the past participle. Since you are just beginning the passé composé you are using avoir as the auxiliary verb plus the past participle. IF the past participle is regular, like "parler" it will be "drop the "er" and add "é". Je parle (I do speak, I am speaking, I have spoken) = J'ai parlé (I spoke, I have spoken, I DID speak.) If the verb is an "ir" verb, drop the "ir" and add "i." Je finis (I finish, I do finish, I am finish ing) = J 'ai fini (I have finished, I finished, I did finish.) If it is an "re" verb, drop the "re" and add "u." Tu réponds = Tu as répondu.
Those were all regular past participles. Now for some irregular, which, YES, you simply have to memorize!
asseoir = assis
avoir = eu
boire = bu
conduire = conduit
connaître = connu
courir = couru
craindre = craint
croire = cru
devoir = dû
dire = dit
écrire = écrit
être = été
faire = fait
falloir = fallu
lire = lu
mettre mis
ouvrir = ouvert
plaire = plu
pleuvoir = plu
Now, aren't you glad you asked?!!
Sra (aka Mme)
pouvoir = pu
prendre = pris
recevoir = reçu
rire = ri
savoir = su
suivre = suivi
taire = tu
tenir = tenu
valoir = valu
vivre = vécu
voir = vu
vouloir = voulu