Formation du Subjonctif Passé (Forming Past Subjunctive)

Learning ObjectivesLearn how to form the past subjunctive with the helping verbs avoir (to have) [ah-VWAR] and être (to be) [ET-ruh].Recognize situations that require using the past subjunctive.Master how to make the past participle agree with the helping verb être (to be) [ET-ruh].Imagine your friend passed a very difficult exam. You're so happy for them! 🎉 You could say: “Je suis heureux que tu aies réussi (I am happy that you passed) [zhuh swee uh-RUH kuh tew eh ray-ew-SEE] ton examen !” Or, on the other hand, maybe you regret not studying for your own exam: “Je regrette de ne pas avoir étudié (I regret not having studied) [zhuh ruh-GRET duh nuh pah ah-VWAR ay-tew-dee-AY] davantage.” The past subjunctive lets us express these complex feelings about things that have already happened.Rea...

The past subjunctive is a compound tense. How you form it depends on the helping verb (avoir (to have) [ah-VWAR] or être (to be) [ET-ruh]) and the past participle. Here are a few common verbs we'll use:Verb (Infinitive)Past ParticipleExample in a Sentencefinir (to finish) [fee-NEER]fini (finished) [fee-NEE]Je doute qu'il ait fini (I doubt that he has finished) [zhuh doot keel eh fee-NEE] son travail.parler (to speak) [par-LAY]parlé (spoken) [par-LAY]Il est bon que vous lui ayez parlé (It is good that you have spoken to him/her) [eel eh bohn kuh voo lwee eh-YAY par-LAY].venir (to come) [vuh-NEER]venu(e)(s) (come) [vuh-NEW]Je suis contente qu'elle soit venue (I am happy that she came) [zhuh swee kohn-TAHNT kel swah vuh-NEW]. 👋partir (to leave) [par-TEER]parti(e)(s) (left) [par-TEE]C'est dom...

Pattern 1: How to Form the Past SubjunctiveRule: The past subjunctive is formed with the helping verb avoir (to have) [ah-VWAR] or être (to be) [ET-ruh] in the present subjunctive, followed by the past participle of the main verb.Formula: Subject + [trigger verb] + que (that) [kuh] + Subject + [avoir/être in present subjunctive] + [past participle]Pattern 2: Conjugating the Helping Verbs in the Present SubjunctiveAvoir (to have) [ah-VWAR]:que j'aie (that I have) [kuh zhay]que tu aies (that you have) [kuh tew eh]qu'il/elle/on ait (that he/she/one has) [keel/kel/ohn eh]que nous ayons (that we have) [kuh noo zeh-YOHN]que vous ayez (that you have) [kuh voo zeh-YAY]qu'ils/elles aient (that they have) [keel/kel zeh]Être (to be) [ET-ruh]:que je sois (that I am) [kuh zhuh swah]que tu sois (that yo...