with reflexive verbs Example: Je m’étais trompé(e) dans mon calcul.Most verbs construct the plus-que-parfait using avoir, however être is used as the auxiliary verb in the following cases: Example: Je ne m’étais pas trompé dans mon calcul.

I had left.→ I had not left.įor reflexive verbs, the reflexive pronoun comes after the first part of the negation (ne) and before the auxiliary verb (avoir/être). Example: J’ étais parti en vacances en Bretagne.In negative sentences, the past participle comes after the second part of the negation (pas). with 14 verbs of motion and staying still: naître/mourir, aller/venir, monter/descendre, arriver/partir, entrer/sortir, apparaître, rester, retourner, tomber, revenir, rentrer, remonter, redescendre, repartir.Most verbs construct the plus-que-parfait using avoir, however être is used as the auxiliary verb in the following cases: To conjugate the plus-que-parfait we use the imperfect forms of avoir and être as auxiliary verbs, followed by the participe passé (past participle) of the main verb. How to conjugate the plus-que-parfait in French This tense is usually used together with another past tense (such as the imparfait, the passé composé or the passé simple) and establishes the order of events: the action expressed in the plus-que-parfait always occurred before the action expressed by the other past tenses.Įxample: Elle avait beaucoup travaillé avant de pouvoir jouer le morceau parfaitement. We use the plus-que-parfait to talk about an action that occurred before another action in the past. When to use the plus-que-parfait in French

Lors du concours de talents, Louise a joué sans fautes un morceau difficile à la flûte.Įlle avait beaucoup travaillé avant de pouvoir jouer le morceau parfaitement. Learn everything you need to know about the plus-que-parfait tense in French grammar with our quick and easy examples, then test your knowledge in the exercises.

The plus-que-parfait is often used when telling stories and anecdotes to provide background information on situations that occurred prior to the main action of the story. We use it to talk about an action or situation that took place before another past action. Le plus-que-parfait corresponds to the past perfect tense in English.

Conjugaison du plus que parfait