français · A2 · verb · 4 minutes
Être in the passé composé
Use avoir as the auxiliary even though the main verb is être.
Understand the choice
The verb meaning “to be” does not use itself as its compound auxiliary. First retrieve the correct present form of avoir, then add été. Any following adjective agrees with the person described, not with été.
Core rule: The passé composé of être is present avoir + the invariable past participle été.
Notice it in context
J’ai été très occupée cette semaine.
I have been very busy this week.
Ai is the auxiliary; été is unchanged; occupée agrees with a feminine speaker.
Nous avons été patients avec les enfants.
We were patient with the children.
Avons été is plural; patients agrees with a mixed or masculine nous.
Pourquoi avez-vous été en retard ?
Why were you late?
Inversion affects the auxiliary avez; été remains after the subject.
What to remember
- Été never changes for gender or number in this construction.
- A completed state often uses the passé composé; background description in a story often uses the imparfait.
Common trap: Do not build je suis été. The compound form is j’ai été.