Reflexive Verbs in the Passé Composé

Section 1Basic structure

The structure is subject + reflexive pronoun + être + past participle. For example, je me suis levé means I got up. Keep the reflexive pronoun in the sentence because it is part of the verb.

Section 2Choosing the pronoun

The reflexive pronoun must match the subject: je me, tu te, il/elle/on se, nous nous, vous vous, ils/elles se. Before a vowel sound, me, te, and se become m', t', and s'.

Section 3Agreement

Because reflexive verbs use être, the past participle often agrees with the subject. Add e for feminine, s for plural, and es for feminine plural: elle s'est levée, ils se sont lavés, elles se sont couchées.

Section 4Direct object after the verb

If a direct object comes after the reflexive verb, the past participle usually does not agree. For example, elle s'est lavé les mains keeps lavé unchanged because les mains comes after the verb.

Section 5Negatives

In a negative sentence, put ne before the reflexive pronoun and pas after être: je ne me suis pas levé. The reflexive pronoun still stays before the auxiliary.