7.2.1

Avoir (1/2)

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Regular ER Verbs in the Pluperfect Tense

The pluperfect tense translates as 'I had done something'. It is formed using the imperfect of 'avoir' followed by a past participle. With 'avoir' the past participle only agrees if there is a direct object. Here is the example with 'parler' (to speak):

Illustrative background for Tu =avais= parl=é= - you had spokenIllustrative background for Tu =avais= parl=é= - you had spoken ?? "content

Tu avais parlé - you had spoken

  • 'Tu' means 'you' (singular).
Illustrative background for Vous =aviez= parl=é= - you had spokenIllustrative background for Vous =aviez= parl=é= - you had spoken ?? "content

Vous aviez parlé - you had spoken

  • 'Vous' means:
    • You (plural).
    • You (singular, formal).

Regular IR Verbs

The pluperfect tense translates as 'I had done something'. It is formed using the imperfect of 'avoir' followed by a past participle. With 'avoir' the past participle only agrees if there is a direct object. Here is the example with 'finir' (to finish):

Illustrative background for Tu =avais= fin=i= - you had finishedIllustrative background for Tu =avais= fin=i= - you had finished ?? "content

Tu avais fini - you had finished

  • 'Tu' means 'you' (singular).
Illustrative background for Vous =aviez= fin=i= - you had finishedIllustrative background for Vous =aviez= fin=i= - you had finished ?? "content

Vous aviez fini - you had finished

  • 'Vous' means:
    • You (plural).
    • You (singular, formal).

Jump to other topics

1Everyday Activities

2Personal & Social Life

3The World Around Us

4The World of Work

5The International World

6Common Tenses

7Advanced Tenses

8Extra Grammar

8.1Articles

8.2The Passive Voice

8.3Pronouns

8.4Asking Questions

8.5Nouns

8.6Prepositions

8.7Adverbs

8.8Adjectives

8.9Negative

8.10Conjunctions

8.11Miscellaneous

8.12Verbs

8.13Numbers

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