Passé simple: endings
The "passé simple" is a tense of written narration. First-group verbs end in -ai, -as, -a, -âmes, -âtes, -èrent. Second-group verbs end in -is, -is, -it, -îmes, -îtes, -irent. The third group varies (-is, -us, -ins).
Examples
Il mangea une pomme.
Key word(s): mangea
First group (manger), so the ending is -a.
Elle prit son manteau.
Key word(s): prit
Third group (prendre), so the ending is -it.
Nous courûmes sous la pluie.
Key word(s): courûmes
Third group (courir), so the ending is -ûmes.
Ils arrivèrent en retard.
Key word(s): arrivèrent
First group (arriver), so the ending is -èrent.
Il vint dès qu'il le sut.
Key word(s): vint
Third group (venir), so the ending is -int.
Common mistakes
- Confusing the passé simple and the imparfait ("il mangea" vs "il mangeait")
- Forgetting the circumflex in the first and second person plural (nous mangeâmes)
- Mixing up the third-group stems (il prit, il put, il vint)
Test yourself
Elle ___ la porte.
Ils ___ toute la nuit.
Il ___ un bruit étrange.
Tips to remember
- The passé simple is mostly used in writing (narratives, novels, tales).
- In speech, the passé composé is used instead.
- Remember the three third-group stems: -i- (prit), -u- (courut), -in- (vint).
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