The Past Participle
The past participle is formed by replacing the suffix of the infinitive:
- the -er suffix becomes an -é
- the -dre suffix becomes a -u, or in some cases an -is
- the -ir suffix becomes an -i (i.e., drop the -r)
Thus:
- Arriver (to arrive) becomes arrivé (arrived)
- Attendre (to wait) becomes attendu (waited)
- Prendre (to take) becomes pris (took)
- Sortir (to go out) becomes sorti (gone out)
When a past participle requires gender and number agreements (see the passé composé), the past participle will take on these forms:
- Arriver (to arrive) becomes arrivé, arrivée, arrivés, arrivées.
- Attendre (to wait) becomes attendu, attendue, attendus, attendues,
- Prendre (to take) becomes pris, prise, pris, prises
- Sortir (to go out) becomes sorti, sortie, sortis, sorties