Past participle agreement with avoir
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With avoir, a preceding direct object can change the written ending of a French past participle. Learn to find that object before deciding whether to add -e or -s.
With avoir, the participle does not agree with the subject. In the ordinary constructions below, it agrees with a preceding direct object. Infinitive constructions and some pronouns have additional rules.
The Golden Rule of COD Antéposé
Direct object placed AFTER the verb -> NO agreement. Direct object placed BEFORE the verb -> AGREEMENT with that object.
The 4 Triggers of Preceding Direct Objects
| Trigger Pattern | Example Sentence | Why It Agrees |
|---|---|---|
| 1. Relative Pronoun 'Que' | Les tartes que Marie a préparées sont délicieuses. | 'Que' refers back to 'les tartes' (fem. pl.) positioned before the verb -> add -es. |
| 2. Object Pronouns (le, la, les) | Ces valises? Julien les a portées jusqu'à la chambre. | 'Les' replaces 'les valises' (fem. pl.) and stands in front of 'a portées' -> add -es. |
| 3. Interrogative 'Quel(le)(s)' | Quelle robe as-tu choisie pour la soirée? | 'Quelle robe' (fem. sing.) opens the question before the auxiliary -> add -e. |
| 4. Quantity 'Combien de' | Combien de villes as-tu visitées cet été? | 'Combien de villes' (fem. pl.) is the direct object before the verb -> add -es. |
Examples in context
Read the examples and compare their English meanings.
1. The Contrast: Object After vs. Object Before
Observe how word order dictates grammar
Whenever the noun sits in its normal spot after the verb, the past participle remains neutral (invariable). The moment the sentence is restructured so the noun or pronoun precedes the auxiliary, agreement activates.
J'ai écrit trois lettres ce matin. (Object AFTER -> NO agreement)
I wrote three letters this morning (base form 'écrit').
Voici les trois lettres que j'ai écrites. (Object BEFORE -> AGREEMENT)
Here are the three letters that I wrote ('que' refers to letters -> 'écrites').
2. The Indirect Object Trap (COI)
Pronouns like 'lui' and 'leur' never trigger agreement
Agreement only happens with DIRECT objects (whom or what did you act upon?). With verbs that take indirect objects introduced by 'à' (parler à, téléphoner à, sourire à, répondre à), the preceding pronoun is indirect, so no agreement occurs.
Mes amies? Je leur ai téléphoné hier soir.
My friends? I phoned them last night (téléphoner À quelqu'un -> indirect -> NO agreement).
💡 Even though 'mes amies' is feminine plural, 'téléphoné' has no -es.
La lettre? Je la leur ai envoyée.
The letter? I sent it to them ('la' = direct object before verb -> 'envoyée' agrees with la!).
Common mix-ups
When en refers to an amount, the participle normally remains unchanged. A separate preceding direct object can still trigger agreement, so the mere presence of en is not a ban on all agreement.
Des fraises? J'en ai mangé beaucoup (NOT: mangées).
Strawberries? I ate a lot of them (the participle normally stays unchanged with en).
Self-Check Practice
Test your understanding
Q1.Which form is correct: 'Les photos que Thomas a ___ sont magnifiques.'?
Q2.Why is there NO agreement in: 'Marie a acheté des pommes.'?
Q3.Choose the correct spelling: 'Mes cousines? Je leur ai ___ un courriel.'
Try a reply
Say or write your answer in French before opening the example.
You bought some feminine plural chaises. Say: The chairs that I bought are blue.
Show one possible answer
Les chaises que j'ai achetées sont bleues.
Other wording can work too. Compare the verb form, agreement, and word order with the lesson. Then try a sentence about your own day.
Keep practicing
Related grammar
Grammar references
Practice French grammar in context
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