As near as I can tell, no transitive usage of DESCENDRE is followed by a preposition, and whenever descendre does take a preposition, it's an intransitive verb. This doesn't tell which of the many meanings of DESCENDRE obtain, but it does seem a reasonable heuristic device. Your thoughts....?
Descendre - how to ascertain whether it takes avoir or etre in passe compose
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MaxKwiziq Q&A regular contributor
Descendre - how to ascertain whether it takes avoir or etre in passe compose
This question relates to:French lesson "Descendre can be used with avoir or être in compound tenses depending on its meaning in French (Le Passé Composé)"
Asked 2 weeks ago
Interesting point Max and thank you for teaching me new English word!
Thought of 'à' and 'de' mainly -
Il est descendu à Paris = He went down to Paris
Elles sont descendues du train = They got off the train
But Larousse gave me more -
https://www.larousse.fr/dictionnaires/francais/descendre/24274#:~:text=verbe%20transitif%20Conjugaison-,1.,Descends%20un%20peu%20le%20tableau.
I always hesitate to say 'always' in any rule of French grammar as I am sure someone will come up with an exception ...
Bonne Continuation !
Jim Kwiziq Q&A super contributor
Bonjour Max,
https://www.cnrtl.fr/definition/descendre
Suggest you peruse the link above. I find this to be a comprehensive overview that may aid your understanding.
The section in the header marked "concordance" will show usage of the verb in both transitive and intransitive situations.
Hope this helps
Bonne journée
Jim
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