Le Passé Composé: Actions du Passé
Learning the past tense in French Focus on avoir verbs with 'je' form Year 8 French
Qu'est-ce que c'est le Passé Composé?
The past tense in French Used for completed actions in the past Made of two parts: auxiliary verb + past participle Today we focus on AVOIR verbs only
La Formule Magique
JE + AVOIR + PAST PARTICIPLE J'ai + mangé = I ate/I have eaten J'ai + fini = I finished/I have finished J'ai + vendu = I sold/I have sold
Conjugation Practice: J'AI
Complete the pattern: Je + _____ + past participle Answer: J'AI Practice saying: J'ai, j'ai, j'ai!
Past Participles: -ER Verbs
Remove -ER, add -É manger → mangé (eaten) parler → parlé (spoken) jouer → joué (played)
Examples: J'ai + Past Participle
{"left":"J'ai mangé une pizza\nJ'ai parlé avec mon ami\nJ'ai joué au football\nJ'ai regardé la télé","right":"I ate a pizza\nI spoke with my friend\nI played football\nI watched TV"}
Quick Check!
How do you say 'I listened' in French? Hint: écouter → ? Think about our formula! J'ai + ______
Your Turn: Create Sentences
Choose a verb: danser, chanter, travailler Transform to past participle Add to: J'ai _____ Share with your partner!
Common Mistakes to Avoid
DON'T forget the 'J'ai'! DON'T say 'Je mangé' ❌ DO say 'J'ai mangé' ✅ Remember: TWO parts always!
Récapitulation
'Le passé composé with avoir verbs: J'ai + past participle (-é for -er verbs)' You've learned the foundation of French past tense! Next lesson: more verb groups!