Avoir vs. être
The verbs avoir and être are two of the most important verbs in the French language – they can be used alone as main verbs or they can be used as auxiliary verbs to form the French compound tenses.
Auxiliary Battle
Avoir (To Have)
Used for 90% of French Verbs.
- Transitive Verbs (Takes an object)
- Most Intransitive Verbs
Être (To Be)
Reserved for specific exceptions.
- Dr. & Mrs. Vandertramp Verbs
- All Reflexive/Pronominal Verbs
The Movement Verbs (Vandertramp)
Devenir
Rester
Monter
Resortir
Partir
Venir
Arriver
Naître
Descendre
Entrer
Retourner
Tomber
Rester
Aller
Mourir
Passer
Chameleon Verbs (Exceptions)
Some verbs use Être when there's no direct object, but flip to Avoir when a direct object is involved!
Intrinsic State (Être)"Je suis descendu."(I went down.)
Direct Object Action (Avoir)"J'ai descendu les valises."(I took the suitcases down.)
Quick Comparison
Avoir (To Have)"J'ai mangé"
Être (To Be)"Je suis allé(e)"