Ch 26 · Lesson 17French · Chapter 26 · Lesson 17 · Grammar primer
Je les ai vus partir: when the participle agrees
and agree with an object in front only when it does the action: , but .
The short version
: agree if they do it
.
Why?Hide
and agree with an object placed before them only when that object does the infinitive's action. : they left, so . : the song was sung, so no agreement. The endings are silent, so this is a rule for writing.
Does the participle agree?
In a compound tense, , and can agree with a direct object placed before them. Ask one question: does that object do the infinitive's action?
It does the action: agree.
| Object | French | English |
|---|---|---|
| they leave | . | I saw them leave. |
| she falls | . | I saw her fall. |
| she sings | . | The woman I heard sing. |
It has the action done to it: no agreement.
| Object | French | English |
|---|---|---|
| a song is sung | . | The song I heard sung. |
| a play is put on | . | The play I saw performed. |
| trees are cut | . | The trees I saw cut down. |
These endings are silent, so this is a rule for writing. An object after the verb never makes it agree: . - I saw the children leave.
never agrees at all: see faire causatif.
Going further: The verbs, and no linker and the rest of the guide, when you want them. This lesson does not need them.
Practice
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