With être, rentré gets a letter S in the plural sentence, but not with avoir. Is it a rule?

Nataly O.A1Kwiziq community member

With être, rentré gets a letter S in the plural sentence, but not with avoir. Is it a rule?

Asked 6 years ago
Chris W.C1 Kwiziq Q&A super contributor Correct answer

Yes, this is a rule. With être the participle is accorded in gender and number to the subject. 

Alex est rentré tard. 

Susanne est rentrée tard. 

Susanne et Marie sont rentrées tard. 

Susanne et Alex sont rentrés tard. 

-- Chris (not a native speaker). 

AurélieKwiziq team memberCorrect answer

Bonjour Nataly !

To complete Chris's answer, here's a link to our lesson related to the agreement of the past participle (here rentré) with auxiliary être.

https://progress.lawlessfrench.com/revision/grammar/agree-past-participle-with-subjects-gender-and-number-with-etre-verbs-in-le-passe-compose-conversational-past

Note that in some specific cases, you might also agree with the auxiliary avoir, as explained in that more advanced lesson :)

https://progress.lawlessfrench.com/revision/grammar/special-cases-when-the-past-participle-agrees-in-number-and-gender-when-used-with-avoir-in-le-passe-compose-conversational-past

I hope that's helpful!
Bonne journée !

Nataly O.A1Kwiziq community member
"Vous êtes rentrés" and "Vous avez rentré"

With être, rentré gets a letter S in the plural sentence, but not with avoir. Is it a rule?

Sign in to submit your answer

Don't have an account yet? Join today

Ask a question

Find your French level for FREE

Test your French to the CEFR standard

Find your French level
Clever stuff happening!