The verbs être and avoir in French
Two of the most commonly used verbs in French and English are être (to be) and avoir ( to have). These verbs are essential in the French language, and learning their purpose and conjugation is an important lesson for any French learner.
In French, the verb Avoir is often used to describe something the subject has or possesses.
The verb Être, on the other hand, is used to describe the state, appearance, or attitude of the subject.
However, there are some isolated instances where the verbs’ use differs slightly from English to French:
English | French |
To be + age I am 25 years old. | To have + age J’ai 25 ans. |
To be+ some emotions I am hungry. I am scared. | To have+some emotions J’ai faim. J’ai peur |
To be+ temperature I am cold. I am hot. | To have + temperature J’ai froid. J’ai chaud. |
Être and avoir as auxiliary verbs in French
The verb avoir is used as an auxiliary verb in the passé composé, similar to how we use the verb to have in English when speaking in the present perfect tense.
EX: J’ai parlé. (I have talked.)
The verb être is also used as an auxiliary verb in a few instances when using the passé composé. Here are some examples below:
Verb | In English | Verb + Être in passé composé |
Entrer | To enter | Je suis entré |
Sortir | To go out | Tu es sorti |
Retourner | To return/ go back | Il est retourné |
Aller | To go | Il est allé |
Venir | To come | Tu es venu |
Partir | To leave | Je suis parti |
Descendre | To go down | Nous sommes descendus |
Conjugation of être and avoir in the present tense
Here is how you conjugate être and avoir at the present tense.
Pronouns | Être | Avoir |
Je (I) | suis | ai |
Tu (you) | es | as |
Il/elle/on (He/she/ it/ we) | est | a |
Nous (we) | sommes | avons |
Vous (you) | êtes | avez |
Ils/elles (they) | sont | ont |
Practice worksheet for être and avoir
Practice what you’ve learned in this lesson with the following free printable French grammar worksheet:
