le passé simple in French
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The passé simple (English: Literary past tense) is utilized in rather literary contexts. It's mainly used to speak about a completed action in the past which has no relation to the present tense.
It expresses a completed action of the past, most often a brief action
The forms of the passé simple can be formed with the following endings:
verbs ending in -er (1st group) | ai -as -a -âmes -âtes -èrent |
---|---|
verbs ending in -ir (2nd group) | -is -is -it -îmes -îtes -irent |
irregular verbs (3rd group) | -is -is -it -îmes -îtes -irent -us -us -ut -ûmes -ûtes - urent -ins, -ins, -int, înmes, întes, înrent |
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The passé simple for regular forms are the same for all verbs groups. They are composed of the stem of the verbs in which you add the endings:
1st group Aimer (to like) | 2nd group Finir (to finish) |
---|---|
J'aimai | Je finis |
Tu aimas | Tu finis |
Il/elle/ on aima | Il/elle/on finit |
Nous aimâmes | Nous finîmes |
Vous aimâtes | Vous finîtes |
Ils aimèrent | Ils/elles finirent |
They are many verbs that make the litterary past tense irregular: the auxiliary verbs 'être' and 'avoir' and verbs of the 3rd group. They differ from the remaining irregular verbs by their stem
Avoir (to have) | Être (to be) |
---|---|
J'eus | Je fus |
Tu eus | Tu fus |
Il/elle/ on eut | il/elle/on fut |
Nous eûmes | Nous fûmes |
Vous eûtes | Vous fûtes |
Ils/elles eurent | Ils/elles furent |
You use the passe simple avoir or être to conjugate the Past anterior
The litterary past tense has three types of endings for the irregular verbs:
Prendre (to take) | Croire (to believe) | Venir (to come) |
---|---|---|
Je pris | Je crus | Je vins |
Tu pris | Tu crus | Tu vins |
Il/elle/on prit | Il/elle/on crut | Il/elle/on vint |
Nous prîmes | Nous crûmes | Nous vînmes |
Vous prîtes | Vous crûtes | Vous vîntes |
Ils prirent | Ils/elles crurent | Ils/elles vinrent |
Complete the following sentences with the correct form of the passé simple of the indicated verb in bold. Do not forget the umlet for plural pronouns.
Bonne chance !
Example: Elle attendit sa mère. (attendre)
1. Christophe Colomb le Nouveau Monde. (découvrir)
(Christophe Colomb discovered the New World)
2. Tu la salle. (embellir)
(You enlighted the room)
3. Tu tes amies. (défendre)
(You defended your friends)
4. J' les acteurs. (applaudir)
(I applauded the actors)
5. Je tout de suite. (partir)
(I left as soon as possible)
6. Nous le fil. (perdre)
(We lost contact)
7. Nous la lecture. (finir)
(We finished the reading)
8. Ils à l'examen. (réussir)
(They suceeded to the exam)
9. Vous des fleurs. (vendre)
(You sold flowers)
10. Elles aux questions. (répondre)
(They answered to the question)
Complete the following sentences with the correct form of the passé simple of the indicated verb in bold. Do not forget the umlet for plural pronouns.
Bonne chance !
Example: Elle attendit sa mère. (attendre)
1. Christophe Colomb le Nouveau Monde. (découvrir)
(Christophe Colomb discovered the New World)
2. Tu la salle. (embellir)
(You enlighted the room)
3. Tu tes amies. (défendre)
(You defended your friends)
4. J' les acteurs. (applaudir)
(I applauded the actors)
5. Je tout de suite. (partir)
(I left as soon as possible)
6. Nous le fil. (perdre)
(We lost contact)
7. Nous la lecture. (finir)
(We finished the reading)
8. Ils à l'examen. (réussir)
(They suceeded to the exam)
9. Vous des fleurs. (vendre)
(You sold flowers)
10. Elles aux questions. (répondre)
(They answered to the question)
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Bonjour! Veux-tu apprendre français? ou l'améliorer?
My classes are structured according to my students' needs, I use different teaching methods and I rely on listening each of my students' expectations and goals. Dynamism and constant learning are my purposes in my classes.
I have worked as a French teacher for more than ten years.
I have academic studies in English and French from Montréal, Canada, where I lived for several years. I have a Bachelor in Teaching French as a foreign language from the Université de Bourgogne.
I learned French at an early age in immersion in a French-speaking region and I studied French formally for 11 years, obtaining a native level.
À bientôt!
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We are an Italian family residing in France for 3 months, we have two 10 year old children who have just started attending CM1. We asked Natalia to give the children two lessons a week to speed up their learning. We are super happy with the choice. Nous sommes une famille italienne résidant en France depuis janvier, nous avons deux enfants de 10 ans qui viennent de commencer la CM1. Nous avons demandé à Natalia de leur donner deux leçons par semaine pour accélérer leur apprentissage. Nous sommes super contents de Natalia. We are an Italian family living in France since 3 months, we have two 10 year old children who have just started attending CM1. We asked Natalia to give the kids two lessons a week to speed up their learning. We are super happy with this choice.
Natalia L.
Fabrizio's children are learning French very fast, I have the impression that these lessons online have been helpful for them and I am sure they will master the language easily. They are very interested in learning.
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Hello!
My name is Ivan. I am a Russian tutor with 16 years of teaching experience. The levels I teach are A1~B2. Individual learners and groups are welcomed!
Our main focus will be on speaking. At each lesson we will work on pronunciation, learn to ask questions and give detailed answers, playing out various role-plays. After every lesson, you will be assigned written and/or audio homework. You will get detailed feedback on every unclear point.
In my lessons, I use e-textbooks (not included in lessons’ price), and my materials (included in lessons’ price).
I won't promise that you will speak Russian in 5 lessons or 1 week, but I promise that you will practice a lot and there will be no unclear points left behind.
Don’t be afraid to take the first step!
Remember: “The devil is not so black as he is painted”!
See you soon in our first lesson!
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The professor's preparation is impeccable. Perfect to go from basic to advanced level. He organizes the lessons with PDFs and documents customized by him according to the student. Friendly and experienced, perfect for all ages.
This review was written by a coLanguage team member during a manual screening of this teacher profile.
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Bonjour! Veux-tu apprendre français? ou l'améliorer?
My classes are structured according to my students' needs, I use different teaching methods and I rely on listening each of my students' expectations and goals. Dynamism and constant learning are my purposes in my classes.
I have worked as a French teacher for more than ten years.
I have academic studies in English and French from Montréal, Canada, where I lived for several years. I have a Bachelor in Teaching French as a foreign language from the Université de Bourgogne.
I learned French at an early age in immersion in a French-speaking region and I studied French formally for 11 years, obtaining a native level.
À bientôt!
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Natalia is wonderful! I can't recommend her enough! She is thoughtful, considerate, patient, and flexible! I always look forward to her lessons and I have learned a lot in a short time. I can't wait to see how fluent I can become with her as my teacher!
Natalia L.
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Marissa is a very nice and motivated student. It is very pleasant to talk with her and to teach her. I hope to be able to accompany her throughout the whole process for the presentation of her exam, which she will undoubtedly pass with a good result.
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Hi and welcome !
Preparation for exams, desire or need to learn and improve your level.
Real lessons or discussion experiences, for all levels and all ages.
Total customization according to your needs, your desires, and of course your level. We will talk about this in our first lesson together.
So let's prepare together your exams, your job interview, your next vacation, or maybe to speak the language of the chosen one of your heart...
We will work on short texts, videos, or just sounds to improve your comprehension, then it will be your turn to produce orally and in writing, and of course by both speaking.
Together, we will therefore do written and oral exercises, to improve your vocabulary, your grammar and your conjugation, and your accent.
I invite you to watch my subtitled presentation video, in English, then in French. (2 min in total)
Don't wait any longer to book your trial lesson !
Who am I ?
I am a former parliamentary assistant to French deputies, and communication teacher.
But I wanted to change my life, I am now a scuba diving instructor, currently in Bali, Indonesia.
Pedagogue, patient and organized for a deserved result considering your efforts.
I am used to teach and a lover of the French language.
See you soon for your first lesson together, that's your job !
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Cédric has been an excellent teacher for our first couple of lessons. He is thoroughly trying to assess my level to make sure that we get the most out of our lessons. I am excited to continue my learning with him!
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Bonjour ! Comment ça va ?
My name is Lou, and I would be happy to be your french teacher !
French classes are for all levels, beginner to advanced and are based on conversations.
My classes are fun and dynamic ! We will use various documents to work on and always adapt the classes to your needs and interests. It doesn't matter if you are a beginner, we will speak french and I am sure you will improve quickly.
Free 30 min trial lesson !
Feel free to contact me to talk about your goals and to plan a trial lesson.
See you soon online ! :-)
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Lou works in a very structured way and sent me teaching material before the lesson. After a bit of small talk, we worked on the topic of the lesson, with the lesson divided into reading comprehension, discussion of the text, listening comprehension of a video and a written assignment on the topic. Lou picked an interesting topic that created plenty of opportunity for conversation. She corrected mistakes in a friendly manner and responded very well to my learning requests. That was fun!
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Hello everyone,
I am a native German speaker who has lived in Bologna for 20 years. Languages are my passion, in addition to German I speak and write Italian and English fluently, and I have some knowledge of French. I've got a legal background, where mastery of the German language is very important. After I moved to Italy I started working as a teacher for a private school, then as an export manager and legal assistant, but I always continued to teach in the evenings. Since 2014, I have been freelancing and devoting myself entirely to teaching and translating. I work for a foundation, in a tutoring centre, I teach in companies and to private people.
I believe I am able to establish a good relationsship with the students and I am flexible in adapting the lesson to the student's needs, or gaps!
I usually use course books with a homework part, but during the lesson I integrate with online material, tests, conversation, material that the student brings me from school or from his workplace.
Come and have a lesson with me and you won't regret it!
See you soon!
Dirk
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Dirk is a likable teacher with 20 years of experience in teaching German. He cares a lot about the individual needs of each of his students and tries to motivate them as best as possible with interesting teaching material. The focus is especially on communication, which is trained through grammar, vocabulary and listening comprehension exercises. I would highly recommend Dirk as a German teacher.
This review was written by a coLanguage team member during a manual screening of this teacher profile.
Dirk F.
Thanks a lot, Alina!
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Hi
I am Kelly, i teach frenhc in Switzerland and online. I've experience since many years.
I can help you for DELF/ DALF, pass an exam, or for professional goals.
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Kelly is always on time, patient and friendly. She answers all my questions about the French language and culture. She is a good teacher and I recommend her. Kelly is always on time, is patient, and friendly. She answers all my questions about the French language and culture. She's a great teacher and I recommend her.
Kelly P.
Thanks Jo. I am also very happy to have you as a student.
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Hello everyone, and welcome to my classroom. I hope you are all doing well. My name is Kimberley, and I live in South Africa. I have an honors degree in Environmental health. My hobbies include hiking, cooking, singing, participating in outdoor activities as well as 0reading books. I enjoy engaging in conversations with people whether old or young and have excellent interpersonal skills. In my classroom, I can help you with pronunciation of words, grammar and reading comprehension. My classes are never dull as I make it as interesting and practical as it can be. Lastly the motto of this classroom is practice makes perfect. I hope to see you in my lessons very soon.
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Kimberley is a friendly and professional teacher with excellent English books and an impeccable teaching method. She is perfect for those just starting out in the English language and highly recommended for school and college students.
This review was written by a coLanguage team member during a manual screening of this teacher profile.
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Hello everyone!
My name is Wanda, I'm 27 and I'm French.
I have a Master's Degree in Teaching French as a Foreign Language from the University of Sorbonne Nouvelle, Paris, as well as 3 years of teaching experience (face-to-face, remote courses, or group classes).
I can teach you everything from grammar to culture, but I am particularly able to help you get a better pronunciation! Indeed, I also have a Master's Degree in Linguistics, for which I wrote a thesis about the pronunciation of people learning French as a foreign language =)
Regarding pronunciation, I'll help you without any judgment and only if you express the need to improve!
I studied one year in Japan (Osaka) where I gave French classes at the University of Kansai. During this time, I met a lot of people from various background and I became very open-minded and comfortable with different cultures.
What I like the most in teaching French is getting to meet and know people from different cultures =)
So, I'll be waiting for you! =)
See you soon,
Wanda
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Wanda is a fantastic teacher, she's always up to solve problems and doubts. She teaches from grammar to speaking, with a good emphasis on pronunciation and phonetics which are essential in French!
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I am Diane a language tutor that has been helping students of any age and race and I am also a TEFL certified instructor.
Since I am a native Filipino Speaker, I can teach my students conversational Tagalog which includes 1 grammar rule per lesson and pronunciation as well as vocabulary to enable them to communicate with people when they travel to other places or simply with people not from their country. Aside from conversations, we will talk about our culture, cuisine and tourist spots. When I teach I use role play, dialogue, games, Audio/video files and the like which will engage my students well.
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Very nice and experienced teacher. She has a very good teaching method with slides and exercises created by her. Highly recommended for those who are new to Filipino, but also for those who would like to improve and move up to a higher level.
This review was written by a coLanguage team member during a manual screening of this teacher profile.
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Hadjer is a teacher in a middle school. Before that, she was working in a high school. In addition to school-based classes, she has taught English on many online platforms. Her teaching method is efficient and innovative, and the teaching materials she uses belong to the school. In her, you will find a well-prepared, expert, and friendly teacher.
This review was written by a coLanguage team member during a manual screening of this teacher profile.
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Training is my passion. I like interacting with people. I am passionate about reading, watching movies, and music. I love to explore new places and have keen interest in arts and literature.I love meeting new people because every person is a whole new world you can learn from. I am also a keen reader and an enthusiastic traveller.
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She is kind. She listen to me and tries to adapt the course to my expectations. She has all the books to prepare The DELF and DALF Exam which she offers for free to the student.
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Hello,
I am a multilingual teacher with experience in teaching French to German, Japanese, English, Bulgarian and Italian-speaking students, etc. (levels A1 to C1).
I have been teaching French for 8 years in Luxemburg and now in Bulgaria for 4 years, to teenagers, housewives, businessmen, employees, doctors, etc. I can also help you with DELF and DALF preparation. I give lessons via Skype, Zoom and Microsoft Teams in several countries.
My teaching method for each class : a grammar point together with listening, a lot of speaking with conversation questions or games. While you speak, I write all the new words you need to express yourself, illustrated by pictures or translated in your language.
I do my best to make you feel comfortable to speak and for you to have a pleasant time. According to me, using humour will help you learn more easily.
Whether you need to learn French for business, integration in a French-speaking country or studying, I will be happy to help you. Do not hesitate to contact me for a free trial lesson.
Looking forward to hearing from you,
Katia
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I am really excited about Katia as my teacher. I think she is a very good teacher. And a nice person too. She customise the lessons according to my wishes what i would like to learn. She is very experienced with skype. It all runs very smoothly. I am looking forward to the next lessons and i highly recommend her as your teacher. Miriam
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Bonjour! Veux-tu apprendre français? ou l'améliorer?
My classes are structured according to my students' needs, I use different teaching methods and I rely on listening each of my students' expectations and goals. Dynamism and constant learning are my purposes in my classes.
I have worked as a French teacher for more than ten years.
I have academic studies in English and French from Montréal, Canada, where I lived for several years. I have a Bachelor in Teaching French as a foreign language from the Université de Bourgogne.
I learned French at an early age in immersion in a French-speaking region and I studied French formally for 11 years, obtaining a native level.
À bientôt!
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We are an Italian family residing in France for 3 months, we have two 10 year old children who have just started attending CM1. We asked Natalia to give the children two lessons a week to speed up their learning. We are super happy with the choice. Nous sommes une famille italienne résidant en France depuis janvier, nous avons deux enfants de 10 ans qui viennent de commencer la CM1. Nous avons demandé à Natalia de leur donner deux leçons par semaine pour accélérer leur apprentissage. Nous sommes super contents de Natalia. We are an Italian family living in France since 3 months, we have two 10 year old children who have just started attending CM1. We asked Natalia to give the kids two lessons a week to speed up their learning. We are super happy with this choice.
Natalia L.
Fabrizio's children are learning French very fast, I have the impression that these lessons online have been helpful for them and I am sure they will master the language easily. They are very interested in learning.
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Hello!
My name is Ivan. I am a Russian tutor with 16 years of teaching experience. The levels I teach are A1~B2. Individual learners and groups are welcomed!
Our main focus will be on speaking. At each lesson we will work on pronunciation, learn to ask questions and give detailed answers, playing out various role-plays. After every lesson, you will be assigned written and/or audio homework. You will get detailed feedback on every unclear point.
In my lessons, I use e-textbooks (not included in lessons’ price), and my materials (included in lessons’ price).
I won't promise that you will speak Russian in 5 lessons or 1 week, but I promise that you will practice a lot and there will be no unclear points left behind.
Don’t be afraid to take the first step!
Remember: “The devil is not so black as he is painted”!
See you soon in our first lesson!
Reviews
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The professor's preparation is impeccable. Perfect to go from basic to advanced level. He organizes the lessons with PDFs and documents customized by him according to the student. Friendly and experienced, perfect for all ages.
This review was written by a coLanguage team member during a manual screening of this teacher profile.
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Bonjour! Veux-tu apprendre français? ou l'améliorer?
My classes are structured according to my students' needs, I use different teaching methods and I rely on listening each of my students' expectations and goals. Dynamism and constant learning are my purposes in my classes.
I have worked as a French teacher for more than ten years.
I have academic studies in English and French from Montréal, Canada, where I lived for several years. I have a Bachelor in Teaching French as a foreign language from the Université de Bourgogne.
I learned French at an early age in immersion in a French-speaking region and I studied French formally for 11 years, obtaining a native level.
À bientôt!
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Natalia is wonderful! I can't recommend her enough! She is thoughtful, considerate, patient, and flexible! I always look forward to her lessons and I have learned a lot in a short time. I can't wait to see how fluent I can become with her as my teacher!
Natalia L.
![]()
Marissa is a very nice and motivated student. It is very pleasant to talk with her and to teach her. I hope to be able to accompany her throughout the whole process for the presentation of her exam, which she will undoubtedly pass with a good result.
Review
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Hi and welcome !
Preparation for exams, desire or need to learn and improve your level.
Real lessons or discussion experiences, for all levels and all ages.
Total customization according to your needs, your desires, and of course your level. We will talk about this in our first lesson together.
So let's prepare together your exams, your job interview, your next vacation, or maybe to speak the language of the chosen one of your heart...
We will work on short texts, videos, or just sounds to improve your comprehension, then it will be your turn to produce orally and in writing, and of course by both speaking.
Together, we will therefore do written and oral exercises, to improve your vocabulary, your grammar and your conjugation, and your accent.
I invite you to watch my subtitled presentation video, in English, then in French. (2 min in total)
Don't wait any longer to book your trial lesson !
Who am I ?
I am a former parliamentary assistant to French deputies, and communication teacher.
But I wanted to change my life, I am now a scuba diving instructor, currently in Bali, Indonesia.
Pedagogue, patient and organized for a deserved result considering your efforts.
I am used to teach and a lover of the French language.
See you soon for your first lesson together, that's your job !
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Cédric has been an excellent teacher for our first couple of lessons. He is thoroughly trying to assess my level to make sure that we get the most out of our lessons. I am excited to continue my learning with him!
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