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Lesson 1: Passé Composé
Related Links:
go back to the lesson 1
exercise 5

When is the Passé composé used?

The passé composé is used to express a completed action in the past. It may have been of short or long duration, or has been repeated a specified number of times. Look at what Lise did yesterday. Compare how French and English parallel each other for the passé composé.

 
French    English
1) Hier, Lise s'est levée à 8 heures.  Yesterday, Lise got up at 8 am.
2) Elle a pris son petit déjeuner. She had breakfast.
3) Elle s'est habillée. She got dressed.
4) Elle est sortie de la maison. She left the house.
5) Elle a rencontré Jeanne. She met Jeanne.
6) Elles ont assisté au cours de français.  They attended the French class.
7) Elles sont allées à la bibliothèque.  They went to the library.
8) Elles ont fait leurs devoirs. They did their homework.
9) Lise est rentrée à la maison.  Lise went back home.
10) Elle a regardé TV5.  She watched TV5.
11) Elle a lu la PRESSE.  She read la PRESSE.
12) Son petit ami lui a téléphoné. Her boyfriend phoned her.
13) Il l'a invitée au cinéma. He invited her to the theater.
14) Ils sont ensuite allés dans une discothèque. After, they went to a bar.
15) Lise s'est couchée tard.  Lise went to bed late.

As you can see, the actions have taken place and are done with . In this case, you use the passé composé. To help you get a better understanding, go to Lise's page (exercise 5) you will see Lise perform these different actions.


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