French people or speakers?

Question

Im really not understanding the Passé composé. What is an auxiliary verb? Any why can i only use this with avoir and etre?

Answer 1

An auxiliary verb is also sometimes called a 'helping' verb in English. 'Etre' and 'avoir' are the only 'pure' auxiliaries in French, but other verbs (e.g., 'aller', 'venir', 'devoir', 'faire', 'laisser') can also serve as helping verbs in some contexts.

The French passé composé resembles the English present perfect (i.e., 'have' + past participle), but it is also used for simple past.

Ex.: J'ai mangé. = I have eaten. OR I ate. (In spoken language.)

As for the use of 'être', actually, English used to do the same. Think of the Christmas carol "Joy to the World":

"Joy to the World, the Lord IS come."

English has since become simplfied and replaced 'be' with 'have' in all instances, but French retains these forms, all of which are either intransitive or reflexive.

Hope this helps:-)

Answer 2

Just like English, I have eaten a pizza. "have" is an auxiliary verb. In French, however, the auxiliar "être" must be used for certain verbs. They are:
entrer, sortir, monter, descendre, partir,
aller, rentrer, venir, rester, tomber, devenir, mourir, naître.

Answer 3

You don't know what an auxiliary verb is? How old are you? You don't need to study French; you need to study English!