Why is être used here and not avoir?

paul b.A1Kwiziq community member

Why is être used here and not avoir?

Toutes les places de parking sont prises !
Asked 1 year ago
Maarten K.C1 Kwiziq Q&A super contributor Correct answer

Paul, this is not a verb conjugation of prendre in passé composé which would need auxiliary ‘avoir’,  but the verb ‘être’ in the present tense followed by the past participle of prendre as adjective ‘prises’ (agreement with plural feminine noun ‘places’). 

In English ‘ All the parking places/spaces are taken ‘ 

 https://progress.lawlessfrench.com/revision/glossary/verbal/le-participe-passe-past-participle

 https://www.wordreference.com/fren/prise

Why is être used here and not avoir?

Toutes les places de parking sont prises !

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