Passé composé with être
je suis allé(e)
By Fabling Editorial · How we design our guides
Use être with verbs such as aller, arriver, and partir in the passé composé, and make their participles agree with the subject.
je suis allé(e)
A small set of motion and change verbs use être: aller, venir, entrer, sortir, arriver, partir, naître, mourir, rester, tomber. The participle agrees: elle est allée.
Agreement with aller
| Subject | Past form |
|---|---|
| Paul | est allé |
| Ana | est allée |
| Paul et Ana | sont allés |
| Ana et Léa | sont allées |
Examples in context
Read the examples and compare their English meanings.
Use it in a conversation
Learn the auxiliary with each verb; movement alone is not a reliable test. Sortir takes être when someone goes out, but avoir when someone takes something out. Pronominal verbs also use être, with additional agreement rules: elle s'est lavée, but elle s'est lavé les mains because les mains is the following direct object.
Paul est parti, et ses sœurs sont parties aussi.
Paul left, and his sisters left too.
Elle est sortie à midi. Elle a sorti son téléphone.
She went out at noon. She took out her phone.
Elles se sont parlé hier.
They spoke to each other yesterday.
Common mix-ups
Aller takes être in compound tenses. Not every verb of movement does: marcher and courir normally take avoir.
I went to the shop.
Try a reply
Say or write your answer in French before opening the example.
Ana and Léa left at seven.
Show one possible answer
Ana et Léa sont parties à sept heures.
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
Fabling builds stories and podcast lessons around your vocabulary, interests, and learning progress.
Your first personalized story is free. No card needed.