French GCSE
Le Passé Composé
What Le Passé Composé means in French GCSE, as defined for Pearson Edexcel.
Definitions of Le Passé Composé
Exam boards and our study guides word this term in slightly different ways. Learn the version your board uses.
The most common past tense in French, used for completed actions. Formed with an auxiliary verb (avoir/être) and a past participle.
The most common past tense in spoken French, formed with an auxiliary verb (avoir or être) and a past participle.
The perfect tense, used to describe completed actions in the past (e.g., j'ai fait - I did).
The perfect tense, used to describe completed actions in the past.
The most common past tense in French, used for completed actions.
Topics that use Le Passé Composé
- Ambitions (Pearson Edexcel GCSE)
- Theme 2: Local area, holiday and travel (Pearson Edexcel GCSE)
- Travel and tourist transactions (Pearson Edexcel GCSE)
- Using languages beyond the classroom (Pearson Edexcel GCSE)
- Who am I? (Pearson Edexcel GCSE)
Related terms
- Le Futur Proche
- Adjective Agreement (L'accord des adjectifs)
- L'accord (Agreement)
- Les Faux Amis
- Verbes Pronominaux (Reflexive Verbs)
- Justification
- L'Infinitif
- La Justification
Using Le Passé Composé in the exam
Definition questions usually carry one or two marks, and examiners look for the precise wording. Write the definition from memory, check it against the version above, and then use the term in a longer answer on the same topic so it sticks.
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