Conjugation of verb

Question

How do you determine which conjugated form of the verb do you use in sentences such as "Jean et moi sommes allés au cinéma.".  It appears the conjugated form of the verb with nous has been used. I cannot understand why this is.

Cécile Janty-Davies · Accepted Answer

Hi Monsieur, 
If you say -
Mr Martineau and I went to the cinema 
the pronoun which is implied is we (went)
It is the same in French.
Bonne Continuation !

Jim Jones · Answer

Bonjour Monsieur,First-person plural (nous) in the conjugation table for être.Try to revisit the "persons" structure of the conjugation tables.There are six "persons" three singular and three plural.https://www.lawlessfrench.com/grammar/verb-conjugation/Bonne continuation,Jim

Mark Burling · Answer

Bexcuse Jean et moi are collectively nous.

Mark Burling · Answer

Bexcuse Jean et moi are collectively nous.

Peter Smith · Answer

I was puzzled by this too then came across the following. "In French when a sentence has a compound subject, the verb must agree with the subject in both number and person. The priority order for determining the correct verb conjugation is:

First person plural (nous)

Second person plural (vous)

Third person plural (ils/elles)"

Ex.

Jean et moi sommes allés au cinéma.

"Jean et moi" is a compound subject equivalent to "nous" (we).

The verb "sommes" is the first-person plural form of "être", agreeing with "nous".

Jean et toi êtes allés au cinéma.

"Jean et toi" is a compound subject equivalent to "vous" (you, plural or formal).

The verb "êtes" is the second-person plural form of "être", agreeing with "vous".

Jean et lui sont allés au cinéma.

"Jean et lui" is a compound subject equivalent to "ils" (they, masculine plural).

The verb "sont" is the third-person plural form of "être", agreeing with "ils".