Reflexive Verbs in Reflexive Verbs in Passé ComposéPassé Composé

French 2, Chapter 5French 2, Chapter 5

FormationFormation

Reflexive verbs use ETRE as the Reflexive verbs use ETRE as the auxillary verb in past tense. They auxillary verb in past tense. They also use the reflexive pronoun just also use the reflexive pronoun just like they did in present tense. This like they did in present tense. This is how they will start:is how they will start:

Je me suisJe me suis Nous nous sommesNous nous sommes Tu t’esTu t’es Vous vous êtesVous vous êtes Il/elle s’estIl/elle s’est Ils/elles se sontIls/elles se sont

Formation, cont’dFormation, cont’d

Follow each form of ETRE with a Follow each form of ETRE with a past participle. Same rules apply as past participle. Same rules apply as with regular past tense:with regular past tense:

er er é é ir ir i i re re u u

Agreement:Agreement:

You will add agreement (masc/fem, You will add agreement (masc/fem, sing/plural) to the past participle sing/plural) to the past participle when the reflexive does not take a when the reflexive does not take a direct object:direct object:

EX: Je me suis lavée. (I am a girl)EX: Je me suis lavée. (I am a girl) BUT: Je me suis lavé BUT: Je me suis lavé les mainsles mains. (I . (I

washed my hands – hands is a DO)washed my hands – hands is a DO) / e

s es

EXCEPTIONS:EXCEPTIONS:

Some reflexive verbs are also REGULAR Some reflexive verbs are also REGULAR verbs – watch out! They are only verbs – watch out! They are only reflexive when the action is performed reflexive when the action is performed upon the self.upon the self.

EX: laver –EX: laver –

elle elle s’ests’est lavé lavéee; elle ; elle a lavéa lavé le chien le chien

(*If it’s part of your body, it’s reflexive)(*If it’s part of your body, it’s reflexive)

NEGATIVESNEGATIVES

When making a past tense reflexive When making a past tense reflexive NEGATIVE, follow this pattern:NEGATIVE, follow this pattern:

SubjectSubject , , NENE, reflexive pronoun, form , reflexive pronoun, form of être, of être, PASPAS, past participle, past participle

EX: je EX: je nene me suis me suis pas pas lavé (e)lavé (e) With inversion:With inversion:

Ne t’es-tu pas lavé (e) ?Ne t’es-tu pas lavé (e) ?