français · A2 · verb · 4 minutes
Regular -er verbs in the passé composé
Turn a completed -er action into avoir plus an -é participle.
Understand the choice
This is the most productive compound-past pattern in French. Once the auxiliary is secure, parler, regarder, travailler, écouter, and demander all contribute a stable -é participle. Keep infinitive -er and participle -é distinct in writing.
Core rule: Most -er verbs form their past participle by replacing -er with -é and use avoir in the passé composé.
Notice it in context
Nous avons parlé au directeur après la réunion.
We spoke to the director after the meeting.
Avons matches nous; parlé is the participle; parler à becomes au before directeur.
Elle a regardé le film samedi.
She watched the film on Saturday.
A regardé packages one completed event; the participle does not agree with the subject here.
Tu as travaillé toute la journée ?
Did you work all day?
As is the tu auxiliary; travaillé comes from remplacer -er with -é.
What to remember
- After avoir, a basic past participle normally stays unchanged when the direct object follows.
- Pronunciation does not distinguish parler and parlé, so syntax and spelling matter.
Common trap: Do not write j’ai parler for a past action. After the auxiliary, replace infinitive -er with participle -é.