The French verb “passer” can be conjugated in the passé composé with either “avoir” or “être,” depending on how it is used in a sentence. This dual usage is a common feature of some verbs in French and often confuses learners. Here’s a simple guide to understanding when to use “avoir” and when to use “être.”

When to use “avoir”

Use “avoir” as the auxiliary verb with “passer” when it has a direct object. In this case, “passer” is a transitive verb, meaning it acts on something or someone. It often means “to spend,” “to pass,” or “to take.”

examples:

• j’ai passé une journée à la plage. (i spent a day at the beach.)
• elle a passé l’examen avec succès. (she passed the exam successfully.)
• nous avons passé du temps à discuter. (we spent time chatting.)

Here, “passé” agrees in gender and number with the direct object if it precedes the verb (e.g., “les journées que j’ai passées”). Otherwise, there is no agreement.

When to use “être”

Use “être” as the auxiliary verb with “passer” when it does not have a direct object and indicates movement, typically meaning “to pass by,” “to go past,” or “to stop by.” In this case, “passer” is an intransitive verb and belongs to the group of verbs that use “être” in the passé composé.

examples:

• je suis passé devant la boulangerie ce matin. (i passed by the bakery this morning.)
• ils sont passés par ici hier soir. (they came by here last night.)
• elle est passée à la maison pour dire bonjour. (she stopped by the house to say hello.)

When “passer” uses “être,” the past participle “passé” agrees in gender and number with the subject of the verb. For example:

• il est passé (masculine singular)
• elle est passée (feminine singular)
• ils sont passés (masculine plural)
• elles sont passées (feminine plural)

Summary

• use “avoir” with “passer” when it has a direct object.
  • example: j’ai passé une semaine à Paris.
• use “être” with “passer” when it describes movement without a direct object.
  • example: je suis passé par Paris.