A1 Past Tense 15 min read Medium

Each Other in the Past (Participe passé avec l'un l'autre)

Agree the past participle with the subject for direct reciprocal actions, but never for indirect ones using à.
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Grammar Rule in 30 Seconds

When using reciprocal verbs in the past, the past participle agrees with the direct object if it comes before the verb.

  • If 'l'un l'autre' is a direct object, add an agreement: Ils se sont vus (They saw each other).
  • If 'l'un l'autre' is an indirect object, no agreement: Ils se sont parlé (They spoke to each other).
  • Always check if the 'se' represents a direct object (who/what) or an indirect object (to whom).
Subject + se + être + Participe Passé (+ agreement if direct)

Overview

French grammar provides a specific and elegant way to describe actions that people do to each other. This is known as reciprocity. When you want to express this mutual action in the past, such as "They saw each other" or "We wrote to each other," you use a special structure involving pronominal verbs in the passé composé.

The key phrase that clarifies this reciprocal meaning is l'un l'autre or one of its variations (l'une l'autre, les uns les autres, etc.).

For a beginner, the main challenge isn't just forming the past tense, but understanding a crucial detail: the agreement of the past participle. Sometimes the verb ending changes to match the subject (e.g., vus, vues), and sometimes it doesn't (e.g., parlé). This isn't random.

It follows a consistent logic based on the type of action being exchanged. For example, Elles se sont vues l'une l'autre means "They (fem.) saw each other," and the participle vues agrees with Elles. But Elles se sont parlé means "They spoke to each other," and parlé does not agree.

Mastering this rule is fundamental because it touches upon how French verbs handle objects. Using l'un l'autre makes your meaning precise, removing any ambiguity. While Ils se sont vus could potentially mean "They saw themselves," adding l'un l'autre makes the reciprocal action undeniable: Ils se sont vus l'un l'autre.

This article will guide you through the formation, the logic behind the agreement rules, and its use in real-world French.

Conjugation Table

Subject Pronoun Auxiliary (être) Past Participle (voir) Agreement? Past Participle (parler) Agreement? Reciprocal Phrase Example Full Sentence Example (with agreement)
:--- :--- :--- :--- :--- :--- :--- :--- :---
Nous nous sommes vus / vues Yes parlé No l'un l'autre / les uns les autres Nous nous sommes vus.
Vous vous êtes vus / vues Yes parlé No l'un l'autre / les uns les autres Vous vous êtes vus.
Ils se sont vus Yes parlé No l'un l'autre / les uns les autres Ils se sont vus l'un l'autre.
Elles se sont vues Yes parlé No l'une l'autre / les unes les autres Elles se sont vues l'une l'autre.

How This Grammar Works

The rule governing past participle agreement with reciprocal verbs seems complex, but it's based on a core principle of French grammar: the role of the object pronoun. Let's break down the logic step by step.
1. All Pronominal Verbs Use être in the Past
A verb is pronominal when it's paired with a reflexive pronoun (me, te, se, nous, vous). These verbs describe actions done to oneself (je me lave - I wash myself) or to each other (nous nous aimons - we love each other). In the passé composé, these verbs always use être as the helping verb.
This is a non-negotiable rule you must memorize.
  • Ils se sont rencontrés. (They met each other.)
  • Nous nous sommes téléphoné. (We called each other.)
2. The Reflexive Pronoun: Direct or Indirect Object?
This is the heart of the grammar. The reflexive pronoun (nous, vous, se) can have two different jobs in the sentence. Understanding its job tells you whether to make the participle agree.
  • Direct Object (DO): The pronoun receives the action of the verb directly. Ask the question "Whom?" or "What?" after the verb. If the pronoun is the answer, it's a direct object. Verbs in this category include voir (to see), aimer (to love), connaître (to know), aider (to help), regarder (to look at).
  • Example: Elles se sont vues l'une l'autre. (They saw each other.)
  • Test: Whom did they see? se (each other). The pronoun se is the direct object.
  • Result: Because se is the direct object, the past participle vu must agree with the subject Elles. It becomes vues.
  • Indirect Object (IO): The pronoun receives the action indirectly. These verbs are followed by the preposition à in their basic form (e.g., parler à qqn, téléphoner à qqn). Think of the pronoun as meaning "to me," "to you," or "to each other." Verbs in this category include parler (to speak to), téléphoner (to call), écrire (to write to), donner (to give to), demander (to ask).
  • Example: Ils se sont parlé. (They spoke to each other.)
  • Test: What did they speak? They didn't "speak each other." They spoke to each other. The pronoun se means "to each other."
  • Result: Because se is the indirect object, the past participle parlé does not agree. It remains in its default masculine singular form.
3. The Role of l'un l'autre
The phrase l'un l'autre is added for emphasis and to remove ambiguity. It does not change the agreement rule in any way. The agreement is determined by the verb and its object, not by the presence of l'un l'autre.
Its job is to make it crystal clear that the action is reciprocal, not reflexive (done to oneself).

Formation Pattern

1
To build a sentence with a reciprocal verb in the past tense, you follow a consistent pattern. The structure is methodical and can be assembled piece by piece.
2
The general formula is:
3
Subject + Reflexive Pronoun + être (conjugated) + Past Participle (with or without agreement) + Reciprocal Phrase (optional)
4
Let's build a sentence using this pattern. Imagine we want to say, "They (the women) helped each other."
5
| Step | Component | Choice / Formation | Result so far | Explanation |
6
| :--- | :--- | :--- | :--- | :--- |
7
| 1 | Subject | They (feminine) | Elles | The group is all female. |
8
| 2 | Reflexive Pronoun | Corresponds to Elles | Elles se... | For ils and elles, the pronoun is se. |
9
| 3 | Auxiliary Verb | être conjugated for Elles | Elles se sont... | Pronominal verbs always use être. |
10
| 4 | Past Participle | Verb: aider (to help). Is se a DO or IO? We say aider quelqu'un (help someone), so it's a DO. Agreement is needed. | Elles se sont aidées... | aidé + e (feminine) + s (plural) = aidées. |
11
| 5 | Reciprocal Phrase | The subject is feminine plural. | Elles se sont aidées l'une l'autre. | We use l'une l'autre for two females. For more than two, les unes les autres would be used. |
12
Here is a table for choosing the correct reciprocal phrase:
13
| Subject Group | Phrase for Two People | Phrase for More Than Two | Example |
14
| :--- | :--- | :--- | :--- |
15
| Masculine or Mixed | l'un l'autre | les uns les autres | Ils se sont critiqués les uns les autres. |
16
| Feminine | l'une l'autre | les unes les autres | Elles se sont comprises les unes les autres. |
17
Sometimes, for verbs that use the preposition à, you can make it explicit in the reciprocal phrase, like l'un à l'autre. This simply reinforces the indirect nature of the action.
18
Ils se sont souri l'un à l'autre. (They smiled at each other.)
19
Nous nous sommes menti l'un à l'autre. (We lied to each other.)

When To Use It

While you can often express reciprocity with a simple pronominal verb, adding l'un l'autre provides crucial clarity and emphasis. You should use it in several specific situations.
1. To Remove Ambiguity
This is the most important reason. Many pronominal verbs can be either reflexive (the subject acts on itself) or reciprocal (subjects act on each other). Without l'un l'autre, the meaning depends entirely on context.
  • Ambiguous: Ils se sont blessés.
  • This could mean: "They injured themselves." (e.g., each person in a separate accident).
  • Or it could mean: "They injured each other." (e.g., they got into a fight).
  • Clear: Ils se sont blessés l'un l'autre.
  • This can only mean: "They injured each other." The reciprocal action is explicit.
2. For Emphasis
Sometimes the context makes the reciprocal meaning obvious, but a speaker might add l'un l'autre to stress the mutuality of the action. It adds a layer of intentionality or emotional weight.
  • Standard: On s'est toujours aimés. (We've always loved each other.)
  • Emphatic: On s'est toujours aimés l'un l'autre, malgré tout. (We've always loved each other, despite everything.) The addition makes the bond feel more profound and deliberate.
3. To Clarify Actions in a Group
When dealing with a group (les uns les autres), the phrase is invaluable for showing that the action is distributed among all members, not just performed by the group as a single unit. It signifies a network of interactions.
  • Pendant la réunion, ils se sont écoutés. (During the meeting, they listened to each other.) This is fine, but slightly ambiguous.
  • Pendant la réunion, ils se sont écoutés les uns les autres avec attention. (During the meeting, they listened carefully to one another.) This paints a clearer picture of respectful, mutual listening among all participants.
In short, you are never wrong to add l'un l'autre to a reciprocal action for clarity. As a learner, it is a powerful tool to ensure your meaning is precise.

Common Mistakes

Learners frequently make a few predictable errors with this structure. Understanding them is the key to avoiding them.
Mistake 1: Forgetting the Reflexive Pronoun
English doesn't use a reflexive pronoun for "each other," so learners often forget it in French. They translate word-for-word.
  • Wrong: Hier, mes parents ont disputé l'un avec l'autre.
  • Why: A reciprocal action in French requires the pronominal verb structure. The verb itself must be se disputer.
  • Correct: Hier, mes parents se sont disputés l'un avec l'autre.
Mistake 2: Using avoir Instead of être
This is a classic error for the passé composé. Because most verbs use avoir, it's an easy mistake to make. Remember the absolute rule: all pronominal verbs use être.
  • Wrong: Nous avons écrit des emails l'un à l'autre.
  • Why: s'écrire is a pronominal verb and must use être.
  • Correct: Nous nous sommes écrit des emails l'un à l'autre.
Mistake 3: Getting the Agreement Wrong
This is the most common and difficult error. Learners either agree when they shouldn't or forget to agree when they should.
  • Wrong Agreement (over-agreeing): Elles se sont données des conseils.
  • Why: The verb is donner à quelqu'un (to give to someone). se is an indirect object. Therefore, there is no agreement. The noun des conseils is the direct object, but it comes after the verb, so it doesn't trigger agreement in this structure.
  • Correct: Elles se sont donné des conseils.
  • Missing Agreement: Les deux équipes se sont rencontré en finale.
  • Why: The verb is rencontrer quelqu'un (to meet someone). se is a direct object. Agreement is mandatory.
  • Correct: Les deux équipes se sont rencontrées en finale. (équipe is a feminine noun).
Mistake 4: Using the Wrong Form of l'un l'autre
Forgetting to match the gender and number of the reciprocal phrase is a small but noticeable error.
  • Wrong: Mes sœurs se sont aidées l'un l'autre.
  • Why: sœurs is feminine, so the phrase must also be feminine.
  • Correct: Mes sœurs se sont aidées l'une l'autre.

Contrast With Similar Patterns

To truly master this structure, it helps to contrast it with other patterns that might seem similar.
1. Reciprocal (l'un l'autre) vs. Simple Pronominal Verb
The main difference is clarity. A simple pronominal verb can be ambiguous, while l'un l'autre is always clearly reciprocal.
| Sentence | Possible Meaning(s) | Type |
| :--- | :--- | :--- |
| Ils se sont regardés. | 1. They looked at themselves (in a mirror).2. They looked at each other. | Ambiguous (Reflexive or Reciprocal) |
| Ils se sont regardés l'un l'autre. | They looked at each other. | Clear (Reciprocal Only) |
2. Reciprocal vs. Reflexive
Context is key. A reflexive action is done to oneself. A reciprocal action is exchanged between two or more people. The subject of a reflexive action can be singular, while a reciprocal action requires a plural subject.
  • Reflexive: Elle s'est lavée avant de sortir.
  • (She washed herself before going out.) - Subject Elle is singular.
  • Reciprocal: Ils se sont lavés l'un l'autre.
  • (They washed each other.) - This is a strange but grammatically correct sentence showing a reciprocal action with a plural subject Ils.
3. l'un l'autre vs. entre eux / entre elles
The phrase entre eux (between/among them) can also imply a group interaction, but its meaning is slightly different. l'un l'autre suggests a direct exchange of an action, while entre eux describes a more general state or activity within a group.
  • Ils se sont parlé l'un à l'autre.
  • (They spoke to each other.) - This implies a direct, one-on-one (or A-to-B, B-to-A) conversation.
  • Ils ont parlé entre eux.
  • (They spoke among themselves.) - This suggests a collective conversation, perhaps excluding others. It's less about the action being perfectly mirrored between individuals.
In many cases, they are nearly interchangeable, but l'un l'autre focuses more on the verb's action being directly reciprocated.

Real Conversations

Textbook examples are clean, but French in the wild is more fluid. Here is how you might encounter this grammar in different contexts.

In a text message:

- Person A: Alors, ton rdv avec Paul? (So, your date with Paul?)

- Person B: Super! On s'est découvert plein de points communs. (Great! We discovered we have lots of things in common.)

- Note: découvrir works like voir (direct object), so agreement would be needed for a female speaker (découvertes). The phrase l'un l'autre is omitted as it's obvious from context.

In casual conversation:

- "C'était marrant à la soirée, tout le monde s'est offert des cadeaux ridicules les uns aux autres." (It was funny at the party, everyone gave each other ridiculous gifts.)

- Note: offrir à qqn. No agreement on offert. les uns aux autres makes the preposition à explicit.

On social media (comment on a couple's photo):

- `Vous vous êtes bien trouvés l'un l'autre! Nous nous sommes ...

(Vous, f. pl. / s'aider) -> Vous vous êtes ...

(Marc et Léa / s'écrire) -> Marc et Léa se sont ...

A

Answers

1. détestées, 2. souri, 3. aidées, 4. écrit*
L

Level 3

Build the Full Sentence

Construct the complete sentence using all the elements provided.

(Mes amis / se / donner des nouvelles / les uns aux autres)

(Les deux reines / se / regarder / l'une l'autre / avec méfiance)

(Vous, m. pl. / se / promettre / l'un à l'autre / de ne jamais vous revoir)

A

Answers

*

Mes amis se sont donné des nouvelles les uns aux autres.

Les deux reines se sont regardées l'une l'autre avec méfiance.

Vous vous êtes promis l'un à l'autre de ne jamais vous revoir.

Quick FAQ

Q: Do I really have to use l'un l'autre? Can't I just say Ils se sont parlé?

You can, and often do. In most contexts, Ils se sont parlé is perfectly understood as "They spoke to each other." You add l'un l'autre for three main reasons: to avoid ambiguity (if the verb could also be reflexive), for emphasis, or simply for stylistic flair. As a learner, it's a good habit for ensuring clarity.

Q: What is the exact difference between l'un l'autre and les uns les autres?

l'un l'autre (and its feminine form l'une l'autre) is used when the reciprocal action is between two entities. les uns les autres (and les unes les autres) is used for a group of more than two.

  • Mon frère et ma sœur se détestent l'un l'autre. (Two people)
  • Dans cette famille, tous les enfants se détestent les uns les autres. (More than two people)
Q: I'm still confused. How can I quickly know if a verb needs agreement?

Use the à test. Take the infinitive of the verb and try to form a simple sentence with quelqu'un (someone). If you need to add à before quelqu'un, there is no agreement. If you don't need à, there is agreement.

  • voir: You say voir quelqu'un. (No à) -> Agreement: Ils se sont vus.
  • parler: You say parler à quelqu'un. (You need à) -> No agreement: Ils se sont parlé.
  • plaire: You say plaire à quelqu'un. (You need à) -> No agreement: Elles se sont plu.
Q: Why did you write Elles se sont plu with no agreement for plaire?

Great question that shows the rule's consistency. The verb is plaire à quelqu'un (to be pleasing to someone). Because of the à, the reflexive pronoun se is an indirect object, and the participle plu does not agree. This is a tricky one that fools many native speakers!

Q: Can I ever use this with je? Like je me suis... l'un l'autre?

No. A reciprocal action requires, by definition, at least two participants. Therefore, this structure is only ever used with plural subjects: nous, vous, ils, and elles.

Reciprocal Verb Formation

Subject Reflexive Auxiliary Participle Agreement?
Ils
se
sont
vus
Oui
Elles
se
sont
parlé
Non
Nous
nous
sommes
rencontrés
Oui
Vous
vous
êtes
écrit
Non
Ils
se
sont
aidés
Oui
Elles
se
sont
téléphoné
Non

Meanings

This rule explains how to handle past tense agreement when two or more people perform an action on each other.

1

Direct Reciprocity

Action performed directly on each other.

“Ils se sont vus.”

“Elles se sont regardées.”

2

Indirect Reciprocity

Action performed to each other (via a preposition).

“Ils se sont parlé.”

“Elles se sont écrit.”

Reference Table

Reference table for Each Other in the Past (Participe passé avec l'un l'autre)
Form Structure Example
Affirmative
Subj + se + être + PP
Ils se sont vus.
Negative
Subj + ne + se + être + pas + PP
Ils ne se sont pas vus.
Question
Se + être + Subj + PP?
Se sont-ils vus?
Direct
Agreement added
Ils se sont vus.
Indirect
No agreement
Ils se sont parlé.
Plural
Add 's' if direct
Elles se sont aimées.
Singular
Not applicable
N/A

Formality Spectrum

Formal
Ils se sont vus.

Ils se sont vus. (Social)

Neutral
Ils se sont vus.

Ils se sont vus. (Social)

Informal
Ils se sont vus.

Ils se sont vus. (Social)

Slang
Ils se sont captés.

Ils se sont captés. (Social)

Reciprocal Agreement Logic

Reciprocal Verb

Direct Object

  • voir to see
  • aimer to love

Indirect Object

  • parler to speak
  • écrire to write
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Examples by Level

1

Ils se sont vus.

They saw each other.

2

Elles se sont aimées.

They loved each other.

3

Nous nous sommes rencontrés.

We met each other.

4

Ils se sont aidés.

They helped each other.

1

Ils se sont parlé hier.

They spoke to each other yesterday.

2

Elles se sont écrit des lettres.

They wrote letters to each other.

3

Nous nous sommes téléphoné.

We called each other.

4

Ils se sont souri.

They smiled at each other.

1

Ils se sont succédé dans le bureau.

They succeeded each other in the office.

2

Elles se sont plu immédiatement.

They liked each other immediately.

3

Nous nous sommes manqué.

We missed each other.

4

Ils se sont rendu visite.

They visited each other.

1

Ils se sont promis fidélité.

They promised each other fidelity.

2

Elles se sont confié leurs secrets.

They confided their secrets to each other.

3

Ils se sont disputé le titre.

They fought over the title.

4

Nous nous sommes pardonné nos erreurs.

We forgave each other our mistakes.

1

Ils se sont attribué les mérites.

They attributed the merits to each other.

2

Elles se sont offert des cadeaux.

They gave each other gifts.

3

Ils se sont opposé des arguments.

They opposed each other with arguments.

4

Nous nous sommes envoyé des messages.

We sent each other messages.

1

Ils se sont dérobé leurs secrets.

They stole each other's secrets.

2

Elles se sont reproché leurs fautes.

They reproached each other for their faults.

3

Ils se sont adjugé la victoire.

They claimed the victory for themselves.

4

Nous nous sommes succédé à la présidence.

We succeeded each other in the presidency.

Easily Confused

Each Other in the Past (Participe passé avec l'un l'autre) vs Reflexive vs Reciprocal

Reflexive is for self, Reciprocal is for each other.

Each Other in the Past (Participe passé avec l'un l'autre) vs Agreement of COD vs COI

Both use 'se'.

Each Other in the Past (Participe passé avec l'un l'autre) vs Passé Composé with Avoir vs Être

Reciprocal always uses Être.

Common Mistakes

✗

Ils se sont parlés.

✓

Ils se sont parlé.

Parler is indirect.
✗

Ils se sont vus.

✓

Ils se sont vus.

This is correct.
✗

Ils se sont écrit.

✓

Ils se sont écrit.

This is correct.
✗

Ils se sont aidé.

✓

Ils se sont aidés.

Aider is direct.
✗

Elles se sont téléphonées.

✓

Elles se sont téléphoné.

Téléphoner is indirect.
✗

Nous nous sommes rencontrés.

✓

Nous nous sommes rencontrés.

Correct.
✗

Ils se sont souri.

✓

Ils se sont souri.

Correct.
✗

Ils se sont succédés.

✓

Ils se sont succédé.

Succéder is indirect.
✗

Ils se sont plu.

✓

Ils se sont plu.

Correct.
✗

Ils se sont manqués.

✓

Ils se sont manqué.

Manquer is indirect.
✗

Ils se sont attribués les mérites.

✓

Ils se sont attribué les mérites.

The object follows.
✗

Ils se sont opposés.

✓

Ils se sont opposé.

Opposer is indirect here.
✗

Ils se sont adjugés.

✓

Ils se sont adjugé.

Adjuger is indirect.

Sentence Patterns

Ils se sont ___.

Ils se sont ___.

Nous nous sommes ___.

Elles se sont ___.

Real World Usage

Social Media very common

On s'est vus hier !

Texting constant

On s'est parlé ?

Job Interview occasional

Nous nous sommes rencontrés lors de la conférence.

Travel common

Nous nous sommes croisés à l'aéroport.

Food Delivery rare

Nous nous sommes partagé le repas.

Email common

Nous nous sommes écrit à ce sujet.

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💡

The 'To' Test

If you can add 'to' after the verb (e.g., speak TO), it is indirect and has no agreement.
⚠️

Don't Over-Agree

Only add 's' if the verb is direct. Most people make this mistake!
🎯

Use 'On'

In casual French, use 'On s'est vus' instead of 'Nous nous sommes vus'.
💬

Politeness

Use 'Nous' in formal settings for better results.

Smart Tips

Ask: 'Do I see someone or speak TO someone?'

Ils se sont parlés. → Ils se sont parlé.

Always check for agreement.

Ils se sont vu. → Ils se sont vus.

Remember the pronoun matches the subject.

Nous se sommes vus. → Nous nous sommes vus.

The participle is frozen.

Elles se sont écrites. → Elles se sont écrit.

Pronunciation

sont-t-vus

Liaison

Ensure liaison between 'sont' and 'vus' if applicable.

Rising

Se sont-ils vus ?

Questioning tone.

Memorize It

Mnemonic

Direct is 'seen', Indirect is 'mean' (no agreement).

Visual Association

Imagine a mirror for direct verbs (you see yourself/each other) and a telephone for indirect verbs (you talk TO someone).

Rhyme

Direct gets an S, Indirect is a mess if you add it.

Story

Pierre and Marie saw each other (direct). They spoke to each other (indirect). They loved each other (direct). They wrote to each other (indirect).

Word Web

seêtrevusparlérencontrésécritaidés

Challenge

Write 3 sentences about your friends using 'se sont vus' and 'se sont parlé' today.

Cultural Notes

Reciprocal verbs are used frequently in professional settings to describe collaboration.

Usage is similar, but 'on' is preferred over 'nous'.

Standard French rules apply, often used in formal correspondence.

Derived from Latin reflexive structures.

Conversation Starters

“

Quand vous êtes-vous rencontrés ?

“

Vous êtes-vous parlé hier ?

“

Vous êtes-vous déjà aidés pour le travail ?

“

Vous êtes-vous écrit récemment ?

Journal Prompts

Describe your first meeting with a friend.
Write about a time you helped a colleague.
Discuss a conflict you resolved with someone.
Reflect on a long-term friendship.

Common Mistakes

Incorrect

Correct

Incorrect

Correct

Incorrect

Correct

Incorrect

Correct

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Test Yourself

Fill in the blank.

Ils se sont ___ (voir).

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: vus
Direct object agreement.
Choose the correct form. Multiple Choice

Elles se sont ___ (parler).

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: parlé
Indirect object, no agreement.
Correct the sentence. Error Correction

Find and fix the mistake:

Ils se sont téléphonés.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: Ils se sont téléphoné.
Téléphoner is indirect.
Reorder the words. Sentence Reorder

Arrange the words in the correct order:

All words placed

Click words above to build the sentence

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: Ils se sont vus.
Standard order.
Translate to French. Translation

We met each other.

Answer starts with: Nou...

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: Nous nous sommes rencontrés.
Direct object agreement.
Match the verb to its type. Match Pairs

Match each item on the left with its pair on the right:

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: Direct vs Indirect
Voir is direct, Parler is indirect.
Conjugate. Conjugation Drill

Elles (se rencontrer) au passé composé.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: Elles se sont rencontrées.
Agreement with feminine plural.
True or False? True False Rule

Reciprocal verbs always use 'avoir'.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: False
They use 'être'.

Score: /8

Practice Exercises

8 exercises
Fill in the blank.

Ils se sont ___ (voir).

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: vus
Direct object agreement.
Choose the correct form. Multiple Choice

Elles se sont ___ (parler).

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: parlé
Indirect object, no agreement.
Correct the sentence. Error Correction

Find and fix the mistake:

Ils se sont téléphonés.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: Ils se sont téléphoné.
Téléphoner is indirect.
Reorder the words. Sentence Reorder

sont / Ils / vus / se

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: Ils se sont vus.
Standard order.
Translate to French. Translation

We met each other.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: Nous nous sommes rencontrés.
Direct object agreement.
Match the verb to its type. Match Pairs

Voir vs Parler

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: Direct vs Indirect
Voir is direct, Parler is indirect.
Conjugate. Conjugation Drill

Elles (se rencontrer) au passé composé.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: Elles se sont rencontrées.
Agreement with feminine plural.
True or False? True False Rule

Reciprocal verbs always use 'avoir'.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: False
They use 'être'.

Score: /8

Practice Bank

9 exercises
Fill in the blank with the correct agreement. Fill in the Blank

Elles se sont ___ (regarder) l'une l'autre avec surprise.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: regardées
Choose the correct sentence. Multiple Choice

They sent each other emails:

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: Ils se sont envoyé des emails.
Fix the agreement error. Error Correction

Ils se sont téléphonés l'un l'autre.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: Ils se sont téléphoné l'un à l'autre.
Reorder to form a correct sentence. Sentence Reorder

sont / l'un / Ils / l'autre / vus / se

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: Ils se sont vus l'un l'autre.
Translate to French. Translation

They (f) helped each other.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: Elles se sont aidées l'une l'autre.
Match the verb with its agreement rule. Match Pairs

Match the verbs:

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: Sourire à -> No agreement
Select the correct plural form. Multiple Choice

The girls found each other:

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: Les filles se sont trouvées.
Fill in the blank. Fill in the Blank

Elles se sont ___ (écrire) l'une à l'autre.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: écrit
Correct the mistake. Error Correction

Nous nous sommes rencontrés l'une l'autre.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: Nous nous sommes rencontrés l'un l'autre.

Score: /9

FAQ (8)

It depends on whether the verb takes a direct or indirect object.

Yes, it is the reflexive pronoun for the third person.

No, reciprocal verbs in the past always use 'être'.

The agreement follows the same logic as 'ils'.

Yes, very common.

Adding agreement to indirect verbs.

Some verbs change meaning, but the agreement rule holds.

Write sentences about your friends.

Scaffolded Practice

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Mastery Progress

Needs Practice

Improving

Strong

Mastered

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In Other Languages

Spanish high

Se vieron

Spanish agreement is more intuitive.

German moderate

Sie haben sich gesehen

Auxiliary verb choice.

Japanese low

Otagai ni...

No verb conjugation for reciprocity.

Arabic partial

Tafa'ala

Morphological change vs auxiliary.

Chinese low

Huxiang...

No conjugation.

English low

Each other

Syntactic structure.

Learning Path

Prerequisites

Previous
French Double Agreement: Feeling and Being (Double Accord)

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