English grammar
Russian grammar

French Verbs with Multiple Auxiliaries (Être vs. Avoir)

Some French verbs can use both "être" and "avoir" as auxiliaries in compound tenses (like passé composé), depending on their meaning. Here's how it works:

1. General Rule: Auxiliary Choice Changes Meaning

Auxiliary

Usage

Example

Translation

AVOIR

Used when the verb is transitive (has a direct object / COD) or neutral.

"Il a monté les valises."

"He carried up the suitcases." (Action done to an object)

ÊTRE

Used when the verb is intransitive (no COD) and expresses movement or change of state.

"Il est monté dans le train."

"He got on the train." (Movement)

2. Common Double-Auxiliary Verbs

Descendre

  • AVOIR: "J’ai descendu l’escalier." ("I went down the stairs." → Focus on the action)
  • ÊTRE: "Je suis descendu à la gare." ("I got off at the station." → Focus on movement)

Sortir

  • AVOIR: "Elle a sorti son portefeuille." ("She took out her wallet." → Action on an object)
  • ÊTRE: "Elle est sortie rapidement." ("She left quickly." → Movement)

Other Examples

3. Special Cases

Commencer / Finir

  • Normally use AVOIR:
    • "J’ai fini mon travail." ("I finished my work.")
  • ÊTRE is rare but possible in formal/literary contexts:
    • "La réunion est finie." ("The meeting is over.")

Convenir

  • AVOIR = "to suit":
    • "Cet horaire m’a convenu." ("This schedule suited me.")
  • ÊTRE = "to agree" (implied pronominal form):
    • "Nous sommes convenus d’un rendez-vous." ("We agreed on a meeting.")

Quick Decision Guide

  • Does the verb have a COD (direct object)? → Use AVOIR.
    • "Il a monté [les valises]." (COD = les valises)
  • No COD + movement/state change? → Use ÊTRE.
    • "Il est monté [dans le train]." (No COD; dans le train is a prepositional phrase)
  • Pronominal verbs (se ___) always use ÊTRE.

Pro Tip: When in doubt, check our PROMT.One Conjugator for verification!