Pronominal verbs have a pronoun as part of the infinitive, e.g.: je me réveille, il se couche. Some verbs exist only as pronominal (e.g.: se dépêcher, se souvenir) while others also have a non-pronominal usage (e.g.: se lever/lever). When using pronominal verbs, the pronominal element must correspond to the subject (e.g.: je me, tu te, etc.). This is illustrated in the following table, using the verb se promener ("to walk about" or "stroll"):
When using a pronominal verb in the past, use the auxiliary être, e.g.:
As with other verbs that form their passé composé with être, pronominal verbs show agreement between the subject and the past participle when possible, e.g.:
The main exception to this rule is when a direct object follows, in which case agreement is not made (e.g.: Elle s'est lavé les mains).
Note also that if the pronom corresponds to an indirect objet, there is no agreement; agreement does take place witha direct object, par ex.:
mais ...
Be sure to familiarize yourself with common pronominal verbs, such as:
se promener ("to walk around")
se coucher ("to go to bed")
s'asseoir ("to sit down")
se concentrer ("to concentrate")
se fâcher ("to get angry")
se lever ("to get up")
se passer ("to happen")
s'habiller ("to get dressed")
se dépêcher ("to rush")
se demander ("to wonder")
s'intéresser à ("to be interested in")
se fier ("to trust")
se souvenir ("to remember")
s'occuper ("to take care of")
se reposer ("to rest")
s'inquiéter ("to worry")
se doucher ("do take a shower")
Q: Why is it je me couche and NOT je couche?
Some French verbs are always used with a preceding pronoun.
Q: Why is it je me suis promené and NOT je m'ai promené?
All pronominal verbs use être in the passé composé and plus-que-parfait tenses.
Q: Why is it il s'est lavé les mains and NOT il a lavé ses mains?
With body parts, use the pronominal verb se laver. Note also that the determiner should be les rather than the possessive determiner ses.
Q: Why is it je vais me laver les mains and NOT je vais se laver les mains?
Even after helper verbs like aller, pouvoir, vouloir and devoir, the pronoun must correspond to the subject.
Q: Why is it Paul se concentre sur ses devoirs and NOT Paul concentre sur ses devoirs?
This is simply one of those verbs that has to be used with a pronoun before the verb.
Q: Why is it ils se sont parlé and NOT ils se sont parlés?
The verb parler is followed by an indirect object (on parle à quelqu'un). Since one does not show agreement with indirect objects, the past participle doesn't change (parlé).
Q: Why is it elles se sont vues and NOT elles se sont vu?
The verb voir is followed by a direct object (there is no preposition after it). Since past participles agree with preceding direct objects, you need to indicate feminine and plural agreement on the past participle.
Give the correct present tense form of the verb:
Complete the following translations:
Give the passé composé of the following:
Show Answers
BonPatron