Accord du participe
With avoir, the past form (the participle) agrees with a direct object (the noun the verb acts on) that comes before the verb, and stays unchanged when the object follows. With a reflexive verb it agrees only when the pronoun is that object.
Examples
- Je l'ai vue.I saw her.
- Elle s'est lavé les mains.She washed her hands.
How it works
The A2 lesson said the past form (the participle) does not agree with the subject when the helper verb (the auxiliary) is avoir. This lesson is the rest of the rule.
When the object comes first
When the object follows
Reflexive verbs
Common mistakes
What you'll practise
1. The object comes first
With avoir, the past form (the participle) agrees with a direct object (the noun the verb acts on) that comes before the verb.
- Les lettres que j'ai écrites.The letters that I wrote.
2. The object follows
When the direct object (the noun the verb acts on) follows the verb, the past form (the participle) does not change.
- J'ai écrit les lettres.I wrote the letters.
3. Reflexive agreement
Agrees with the subject only when the reflexive pronoun is the direct object (the noun the verb acts on). Elle s'est lavé les mains and Ils se sont parlé stay unchanged.
- Ils se sont parlé.They spoke to each other.
Practise it until it sticks
Short drills built on these 3 skills, with instant feedback on every answer. Free to start.