French grammar: accord du participe passé avec avoir et être

What this grammar point covers

The 'accord du participe passé avec avoir et être' is a French grammar rule about how the past participle changes (agrees) in gender and number, depending on whether the auxiliary verb is 'avoir' or 'être'.

When to use it

You use this rule when forming the passé composé and other compound tenses in French. The agreement of the past participle depends on which auxiliary verb is used and the position of the direct object.

Key forms

• avoir + participe passé: J'ai mangé, Tu as fini
• être + participe passé: Je suis allé(e), Elles sont parties

Examples

Tips

• With 'être', the past participle always agrees with the subject in gender and number.
• With 'avoir', the past participle only agrees with the direct object if it comes before the verb.
• Do not add agreement with 'avoir' if the direct object comes after the verb.

Exceptions and edge cases

• Some verbs use 'être' as an auxiliary even if they have a direct object (pronominal verbs).
• Certain verbs can use both auxiliaries depending on their meaning (e.g., 'monter', 'sortir').