What agreement rule applies with the auxiliary être in French?
The past participle agrees with the subject.
How does the past participle agree in "Elle est arrivée"?
It agrees in the feminine singular with the subject elle.
Does the past participle agree with the subject with auxiliary avoir?
It generally does not agree with the subject.
When does the past participle agree with a direct object using avoir?
It agrees when the direct object is placed before the past participle.
Agreement with Être
Past participle agrees with subject (gender/number).
Agreement with Avoir
Agrees with COD before it; no agreement if after or none.
Reflexive verb agreement
Agree if 'se' is COD; no agreement if COI.
COD after reflexive
No agreement when COD is placed after the participle.
Se rendre compte
se is COI; no agreement on past participle.
Faire/Laisser + infinitive
Past participle usually remains unchanged.
Agreement with COD before
Past participle agrees with the COD.
Test your knowledge with 10 questions on Past Participle Agreement.
1. Which sentence correctly shows plural agreement between the subjects and past participles?
2. When does a past participle used with avoir agree with a direct object?
Review the complete course in the study sheet for Past Participle Agreement.
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