Avoir and Être Auxiliaries

Section 1Avoir forms

The present tense forms of avoir are j'ai, tu as, il/elle/on a, nous avons, vous avez, ils/elles ont. Most passé composé verbs use these forms. Example: nous avons fini means we finished.

Section 2Être forms

The present tense forms of être are je suis, tu es, il/elle/on est, nous sommes, vous êtes, ils/elles sont. Être is used with many movement or change-of-state verbs and with reflexive verbs. Example: elle est arrivée.

Section 3Choosing the helper

Here's the trick: start by assuming avoir unless the verb belongs to the être group or is reflexive. Common être verbs include aller, venir, arriver, partir, entrer, sortir, monter, descendre, naître, mourir, rester, retourner, and tomber.

Section 4DR MRS VANDERTRAMP

DR MRS VANDERTRAMP is a memory tool for many être verbs. It includes verbs like devenir, revenir, monter, rester, sortir, venir, aller, naître, descendre, entrer, retourner, tomber, rentrer, arriver, mourir, and partir. Watch out: it helps memory, but you still need to know meanings.