A1 Past Tense 15 min read Easy

No-Agreement Rule: Prices and Weights (coûter, peser, valoir)

When 'coûter', 'peser', or 'valoir' express literal measurement, their past participles never change their endings for agreement.
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Grammar Rule in 30 Seconds

When using 'coûter', 'peser', or 'valoir' in the passé composé, the past participle never agrees with the direct object.

  • Rule 1: Never add an 'e' or 's' to 'coûté', 'pesé', or 'valu'. Example: 'Les pommes que j'ai coûté.'
  • Rule 2: This applies even if the object comes before the verb. Example: 'Le prix que ces chaussures ont coûté.'
  • Rule 3: Treat these verbs as exceptions to the standard agreement rule. Example: 'Les kilos que j'ai pesé.'
Subject + (avoir) + [coûté|pesé|valu] + (Object)

Overview

This rule addresses a specific but frequent exception to the standard agreement rules of the passé composé with the auxiliary avoir. Typically, the past participle agrees in gender and number with a direct object that comes before the verb. However, when the verbs coûter (to cost), peser (to weigh), and valoir (to be worth) are used to express a literal, quantifiable measurement of price, weight, or value, their past participles—coûté, pesé, and valu—become invariable.

They do not agree with the noun that represents the measurement.

This principle exists because the amount of money or weight is not considered a true direct object. It doesn't receive the action of the verb in the same way. Instead, it functions as an adverbial complement of measure, answering the question "how much?" (combien?) rather than "what?" (quoi?).

For instance, in the phrase les dix euros que j'ai payé, you paid something tangible: the euros. But in les dix euros que le livre a coûté, the book didn't "cost the euros" as an action; the euros are simply a measurement of its cost. Recognizing this distinction is fundamental to mastering this rule.

Understanding this concept moves you beyond rote memorization into a deeper comprehension of French grammatical logic. It's a nuance that separates intermediate speakers from advanced ones, ensuring your written and spoken French is precise and correct, especially in common, everyday situations involving transactions and descriptions. This rule is not an obscure corner of grammar; it is essential for daily communication.

Conjugation Table

Verb (Infinitive) English Translation Past Participle (Invariable) Example Passé Composé Sentences
:--- :--- :--- :---
coûter to cost coûté La robe a coûté cher. / Les livres ont coûté cher.
peser to weigh pesé La valise a pesé vingt kilos. / Les valises ont pesé lourd.
valoir to be worth valu Ce bijou a valu une fortune. / Ces actions ont valu beaucoup.

How This Grammar Works

The fundamental reason for this no-agreement rule lies in the grammatical function of the noun that precedes the verb. In French, a past participle used with avoir only agrees with a direct object complement (complément d'objet direct, or COD) when the COD is placed before the verb. A COD answers the question quoi? (what?) or qui? (who?) after the verb.
With coûter, peser, and valoir, the noun expressing the measure is not a COD; it is an adverbial complement of measure (complément circonstanciel de mesure, or CCM).
A CCM answers the question combien? (how much/how many?). It quantifies the verb's action rather than being the recipient of it. Think of it as describing the extent or degree of the costing, weighing, or valuing.
The verb's action isn't performed on the kilos or euros; they are simply the units used to measure that action.
Let's analyze the underlying questions:
  • Standard Agreement with a COD: J'ai vu les filles. -> Je les ai vues.
  • Question: J'ai vu qui? (I saw whom?) -> les filles (direct object). Since les (representing les filles) comes before the verb, vu agrees: vues.
  • No Agreement with a CCM: Cette voiture a coûté vingt mille euros. -> Les vingt mille euros que cette voiture a coûté...
  • Question: Cette voiture a coûté combien? (This car cost how much?) -> vingt mille euros (complement of measure). It does not answer Cette voiture a coûté quoi? (This car cost what?). Because vingt mille euros is a CCM, not a COD, the past participle coûté does not agree, even when the phrase is restructured to place the complement first.
Here is a direct comparison to make the distinction clear:
| Sentence Type | Example | Analysis | Agreement? |
| :--- | :--- | :--- | :--- |
| Verb with COD | Les pommes que j'ai mangées. | J'ai mangé quoi? -> les pommes (COD). It precedes the verb, so mangé becomes mangées. | Yes |
| Verb with CCM | Les cinquante kilos que j'ai pesé. | J'ai pesé combien? -> cinquante kilos (CCM). It is not a COD. | No |
In the second example, Les cinquante kilos que j'ai pesé, it's understood that "I" weighed 50 kilos on a scale, or that a suitcase I was carrying weighed that much. The 50 kilos are a measurement of my weight, not something I acted upon. If, however, I had picked up and weighed a bag of potatoes, the meaning changes.
In Les pommes de terre que j'ai pesées, the potatoes (pommes de terre) are the direct object I performed the action of weighing upon. Here, pesées would agree. This advanced distinction is covered in the "Contrast With Similar Patterns" section.

Formation Pattern

1
To correctly apply the no-agreement rule, you need to recognize the sentence structure where it most often appears. This is typically in a relative clause introduced by que, where the complement of measure is placed at the beginning of the clause for emphasis or as part of the natural flow of information.
2
The general pattern is as follows:
3
[Complement of Measure] + que + [Subject] + avoir (conjugated) + coûté / pesé / valu
4
Let's break down each component:
5
[Complement of Measure]: This is the noun phrase specifying the amount. It can be a price (les vingt euros), a weight (les deux tonnes), or a value (la fortune). This is the part that looks like a direct object but isn't.
6
que: The relative pronoun that connects the complement to the clause describing it.
7
[Subject]: The noun or pronoun performing the action (le pull, je, ces melons).
8
avoir (conjugated): The auxiliary verb, conjugated to match the subject (a, ai, ont).
9
coûté / pesé / valu: The invariable past participle.
10
Here are examples fitting this pattern:
11
C'est incroyable, les cinquante euros que ce simple t-shirt a coûté. (It's incredible, the fifty euros that this simple t-shirt cost.)
12
Tu n'imagines pas les cent kilos que nous avons pesé ensemble, avec tous nos bagages. (You can't imagine the hundred kilos that we weighed together, with all our luggage.)
13
La petite fortune que ces actions lui ont valu a changé sa vie. (The small fortune that these stocks were worth to him changed his life.)
14
In each case, the past participle remains unchanged. It does not become coûtés, pesés, or values. Mastering this pattern is the key to using the rule correctly in practice.

When To Use It

You'll use this rule in many practical, real-world contexts. It's not a fringe piece of grammar; it's central to speaking correctly about quantities and values.
  • Shopping and Commerce: Any time you discuss the price of something you bought or saw, this rule applies.
  • J'ai été choqué par les deux cents euros que les billets d'avion ont coûté. (I was shocked by the two hundred euros that the plane tickets cost.)
  • Regarde la somme ridicule que ce vieux vase a valu aux enchères. (Look at the ridiculous sum that this old vase was worth at auction.)
  • Cooking and Measurements: When discussing the weight of ingredients or objects, peser is common.
  • Les deux kilos de farine que la recette a pesé étaient une erreur de frappe. (The two kilos of flour that the recipe weighed was a typo. Here, it implies the recipe specified a weight of 2kg, not that the recipe itself was weighed.)
  • Les dix tonnes que le camion a pesé à vide le disqualifient pour ce pont. (The ten tons that the truck weighed empty disqualify it for this bridge.)
  • Finance and Value: When talking about the worth of assets, investments, or possessions.
  • Les millions que sa startup a valu sur le papier ne se sont jamais matérialisés. (The millions his startup was worth on paper never materialized.)
  • Personal Descriptions: When talking about one's own weight.
  • Je ne te dirai jamais les quatre-vingts kilos que j'ai pesé après les fêtes. (I will never tell you the eighty kilos that I weighed after the holidays.)
Essentially, whenever you construct a sentence where the verbs coûter, peser, or valoir are followed by a quantity, and you restructure that sentence to put the quantity first, the invariable rule is triggered.

Common Mistakes

Learners of French most commonly err by over-applying the standard agreement rule. The instinct to make the past participle agree with a preceding noun is strong, but it's incorrect in this specific context.
The single biggest mistake is making the participle agree with the complement of measure.
  • Mistake: Les trois euros que les croissants ont ~~coûtés~~.
  • Why it's wrong: The learner sees les trois euros (masculine, plural) before the verb and incorrectly adds an -s to coûté. Les trois euros answers combien? (how much), not quoi? (what), making it a CCM. The participle must remain invariable.
  • Correction: Les trois euros que les croissants ont coûté.
  • Mistake: C'est la tonne que la pierre a ~~pesée~~.
  • Why it's wrong: The learner sees la tonne (feminine, singular) and tries to make the participle agree by adding an -e. La tonne is a measure of weight (CCM).
  • Correction: C'est la tonne que la pierre a pesé.
A second, more subtle issue is confusion about the verb's meaning. If peser is used in a transitive sense, meaning "to weigh something" (an action performed on an object), then agreement is required. This leads to hypercorrection, where a student might fail to make an agreement that is actually necessary.
  • Mistake (Hypercorrection): Voici les valises que j'ai ~~pesé~~.
  • Why it's wrong: In this sentence, the speaker performed the action of weighing on the suitcases. The suitcases are the direct object (COD). J'ai pesé quoi? -> les valises. Since the COD que (representing valises) comes before the verb, agreement is mandatory.
  • Correction: Voici les valises que j'ai pesées.
To avoid these errors, always ask yourself: does the preceding noun answer "how much?" (no agreement) or "what/whom?" (agreement)? This simple test will resolve most cases.

Contrast With Similar Patterns

The most important contrast is between the literal (CCM) use of these verbs and their transitive (COD) or figurative uses. When the meaning shifts away from being a pure measurement, the standard agreement rules often switch back on.
1. Peser: Literal Measurement vs. Transitive Action
As seen in "Common Mistakes," the verb peser has two distinct functions. One is intransitive (describing a state of being a certain weight), and the other is transitive (the action of weighing an object).
| Usage | Example Sentence | Grammatical Analysis | Agreement Rule |
| :--- | :--- | :--- | :--- |
| Intransitive (CCM) | Les vingt kilos que cette valise a pesé. | La valise a pesé combien? -> 20 kilos (CCM). The suitcase is this weight. | No Agreement |
| Transitive (COD) | Les valises que j'ai pesées à l'aéroport. | J'ai pesé quoi? -> les valises (COD). I performed the action of weighing on them. | Agreement Required |
2. Coûter and Peser: Literal vs. Figurative Meaning
When coûter and peser are used figuratively to mean "to require effort/sacrifice" or "to have influence/weigh on a decision," the noun representing that effort or influence is treated as a COD, and agreement is required.
| Usage | Example Sentence | Grammatical Analysis | Agreement Rule |
| :--- | :--- | :--- | :--- |
| Literal (CCM) | Les mille euros que ce voyage a coûté. | The cost is a monetary price. | No Agreement |
| Figurative (COD) | Les efforts que ce voyage m'a coûtés. | Ce voyage m'a coûté quoi? -> des efforts (COD). "Efforts" are the direct object of the figurative cost. | Agreement Required |
| Literal (CCM) | Les cinq grammes que cette lettre a pesé. | The weight is a physical measurement. | No Agreement |
| Figurative (COD) | Les arguments que tu as pesés dans ta décision. | Tu as pesé quoi? -> des arguments (COD). "To weigh arguments" is a transitive, figurative action. | Agreement Required |
Valoir is less ambiguous, as its figurative uses like valoir la peine (to be worth the trouble) still treat la peine as a COD, but the constructions are often fixed: Les efforts en ont valu la peine.

Real Conversations

This grammar isn't just for textbooks. You'll see it constantly in everyday French. Here’s how it appears in different contexts.

1. At a Flea Market (une brocante)

- Person A: Cette vieille lampe est magnifique. Je l'ai payée une misère.

- Person B: Ah oui? Tu te souviens des cinquante euros que la mienne m'a coûté l'an dernier? La tienne est bien plus belle.

- Note: coûté does not agree with euros.

2. Texting About a Recipe

- A: J'ai raté le gâteau. Trop sec.

- B: T'as mis combien de beurre? Les 250 grammes que j'ai pesé hier soir semblaient énormes mais c'était parfait.

- Note: pesé is invariable. The speaker is referring to the state of having weighed 250g, a measurement. If they had written Les 250g que j'ai mis... the context would be slightly different, but the pesé example highlights the measurement itself.

3. Work Email About Logistics

- Subject: Problème de poids pour l'envoi

- `Bonjour l'équipe,

Nous avons un souci avec le colis pour le client Dupond. Les trente kilos que le colis a pesé ce matin dépassent la limite autorisée par le transporteur. Il faut revoir le contenu.

Merci,

Claire`

- Note: pesé is invariable, referring to the measured weight of the package.

These examples show that the invariable rule with coûté and pesé is standard, natural, and expected in both spoken and written French.

Progressive Practice

1

Work through these exercises to solidify your understanding. The answers are provided below.

2

Part 1: Choose the Correct Form

3

Les dix mille euros que la voiture a (coûté / coûtés).

4

Les efforts que ce diplôme m'a (coûté / coûtés).

5

La valise est lourde! Les trente kilos qu'elle a (pesé / pesée) m'ont surpris.

6

Ce sont les pommes que tu as (pesé / pesées) pour la tarte?

7

La fortune que ses peintures lui ont (valu / values) est impressionnante.

Part 2: Build the Sentence

Construct a correct French sentence from the elements provided.

8

la robe / a coûté / les cent euros / que -> ...

9

j' / ai pesé / les deux kilos / que (referring to your own weight gain) -> ...

10

les sacrifices / il / a coûtés / que / ce succès -> ...

---

Answer Key

Part 1: 1. coûté (CCM), 2. coûtés (Figurative COD), 3. pesé (CCM), 4. pesées (Transitive COD), 5. valu (CCM).

Part 2:

11

Les cent euros que la robe a coûté.

12

Les deux kilos que j'ai pesé.

13

Les sacrifices que ce succès lui a coûtés. (Assuming lui is implied or added for context).

Quick FAQ

  • Q: Does this rule apply to other verbs of measurement, like mesurer (to measure) or durer (to last)?
  • A: Yes, it does. The same logic applies. Les trois heures que le film a duré. (durer is always invariable). Les deux mètres que le tissu a mesuré. (mesuré is invariable). The principle of the complement of measure (CCM) extends to these verbs as well, making it a broader linguistic pattern.
  • Q: Is this rule formal, or does it apply in casual conversation too?
  • A: It is a fundamental grammar rule applied universally in all registers of French, from formal writing to the most casual spoken language. Ignoring it is always considered a grammatical error.
  • Q: What happens in other tenses, like the plus-que-parfait?
  • A: The exact same rule applies. The plus-que-parfait also uses the auxiliary avoir, so the past participle remains invariable. For example: Les dix euros que le pain avait coûté avant l'inflation... The participle coûté does not change.
  • Q: You said valoir is less ambiguous. Can it ever agree?
  • A: In its primary meaning of "to be worth" a certain value, valu is invariable. However, it has an older transitive meaning "to obtain something for someone" (procurer). In this case, it can agree. Example: Les ennuis que cette affaire m'a valus. (The troubles that this affair brought upon me). Here, ennuis is a COD, so valu agrees. This usage is literary and far less common than the invariable form. For an A1-B2 learner, focusing on the invariable valu is the priority.

Passé Composé of Invariable Verbs

Subject Auxiliary Participle Example
Je
ai
coûté
J'ai coûté
Tu
as
pesé
Tu as pesé
Il/Elle
a
valu
Il a valu
Nous
avons
coûté
Nous avons coûté
Vous
avez
pesé
Vous avez pesé
Ils/Elles
ont
valu
Ils ont valu

Meanings

These verbs describe measurements or values. In the past tense, they are 'invariable', meaning they do not change form to match the gender or number of the object.

1

Cost/Price

To have a specific price.

“La robe que j'ai coûté était chère.”

“Les billets que nous avons coûté étaient trop chers.”

2

Weight

To have a specific weight.

“Les sacs que j'ai pesé sont lourds.”

“Le bébé que j'ai pesé va bien.”

3

Value

To have a specific worth.

“Les bijoux que j'ai valu sont anciens.”

“Les efforts que j'ai valu sont récompensés.”

Reference Table

Reference table for No-Agreement Rule: Prices and Weights (coûter, peser, valoir)
Form Structure Example
Affirmative
Sub + avoir + Participle
J'ai coûté cher.
Negative
Sub + n' + avoir + pas + Participle
Je n'ai pas coûté cher.
Question
Avoir + Sub + Participle ?
Ont-ils coûté cher ?
Plural Object
Sub + avoir + Participle
Les sacs que j'ai pesé.
Feminine Object
Sub + avoir + Participle
La robe que j'ai coûté.
Inversion
Avoir + Sub + Participle
Combien a-t-il pesé ?

Formality Spectrum

Formal
Les chaussures que j'ai coûté étaient onéreuses.

Les chaussures que j'ai coûté étaient onéreuses. (Shopping)

Neutral
Les chaussures que j'ai coûté étaient chères.

Les chaussures que j'ai coûté étaient chères. (Shopping)

Informal
Les chaussures que j'ai coûté, c'était cher.

Les chaussures que j'ai coûté, c'était cher. (Shopping)

Slang
Les pompes que j'ai coûté, c'était la blinde.

Les pompes que j'ai coûté, c'était la blinde. (Shopping)

The Invariable Trio

Invariable Verbs

Verbs

  • coûter to cost
  • peser to weigh
  • valoir to be worth

Agreement vs. Invariable

Standard Verbs (Agree)
mangé(e)(s) eaten
Special Verbs (Stay Same)
coûté cost

Do I add an 'e'?

1

Is the verb 'coûter', 'peser', or 'valoir'?

YES
No agreement!
NO
Check for object agreement
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Examples by Level

1

La pomme que j'ai pesé est bonne.

The apple I weighed is good.

2

Le livre que j'ai coûté est cher.

The book I cost is expensive.

3

Les sacs que j'ai pesé sont lourds.

The bags I weighed are heavy.

4

Le prix que j'ai valu est bas.

The price I valued is low.

1

Combien ces chaussures ont-elles coûté ?

How much did these shoes cost?

2

Les légumes que nous avons pesé sont frais.

The vegetables we weighed are fresh.

3

Les efforts que j'ai valu sont grands.

The efforts I valued are great.

4

Les valises que j'ai pesé sont prêtes.

The suitcases I weighed are ready.

1

Le prix que ces objets ont coûté est exorbitant.

The price these objects cost is exorbitant.

2

Les kilos que j'ai pesé ce matin m'ont surpris.

The kilos I weighed this morning surprised me.

3

Les actions que nous avons valu ont chuté.

The shares we valued have fallen.

4

Ces fleurs ont coûté plus cher que prévu.

These flowers cost more than expected.

1

Les sommes que ces travaux ont coûté sont importantes.

The sums these works cost are significant.

2

Les marchandises que nous avons pesé sont conformes.

The goods we weighed are compliant.

3

Les risques que nous avons valu sont calculés.

The risks we valued are calculated.

4

Les bijoux que j'ai pesé ont été expertisés.

The jewels I weighed have been appraised.

1

Les investissements que ce projet a coûté sont massifs.

The investments this project cost are massive.

2

Les métaux précieux que nous avons pesé sont rares.

The precious metals we weighed are rare.

3

Les avantages que ce choix a valu sont évidents.

The advantages this choice was worth are obvious.

4

Les pertes que cette erreur a coûté sont irréparables.

The losses this error cost are irreparable.

1

Les sacrifices que cette victoire a coûté sont immenses.

The sacrifices this victory cost are immense.

2

Les échantillons que nous avons pesé ont été analysés.

The samples we weighed have been analyzed.

3

Les années que j'ai valu sont inestimables.

The years I was worth are priceless.

4

Les efforts que ce résultat a coûté sont louables.

The efforts this result cost are laudable.

Easily Confused

No-Agreement Rule: Prices and Weights (coûter, peser, valoir) vs Standard Agreement

Learners try to apply the 'preceding direct object' rule to everything.

No-Agreement Rule: Prices and Weights (coûter, peser, valoir) vs Reflexive Verbs

Learners confuse the agreement of reflexive verbs with these invariable verbs.

No-Agreement Rule: Prices and Weights (coûter, peser, valoir) vs Verbs with 'être'

Learners think all past participles agree.

Common Mistakes

✗

La robe que j'ai coûtée.

✓

La robe que j'ai coûté.

Adding an 'e' because 'robe' is feminine.
✗

Les pommes que j'ai pesées.

✓

Les pommes que j'ai pesé.

Adding an 'es' because 'pommes' is plural.
✗

Les bijoux que j'ai valus.

✓

Les bijoux que j'ai valu.

Adding an 's' for plural.
✗

Combien a-t-elle coûtée ?

✓

Combien a-t-elle coûté ?

Agreement with the subject.
✗

Les sacs que j'ai pesés.

✓

Les sacs que j'ai pesé.

Standard agreement habit.
✗

La valeur que j'ai valuée.

✓

La valeur que j'ai valu.

Over-correction.
✗

Les prix que j'ai coûtés.

✓

Les prix que j'ai coûté.

Plural agreement error.
✗

Les efforts que j'ai valus.

✓

Les efforts que j'ai valu.

Advanced agreement error.
✗

Les kilos que j'ai pesés.

✓

Les kilos que j'ai pesé.

Plural agreement error.
✗

Les objets que j'ai coûtés.

✓

Les objets que j'ai coûté.

Plural agreement error.
✗

Les sommes que j'ai coûtées.

✓

Les sommes que j'ai coûté.

Feminine plural agreement error.
✗

Les métaux que j'ai pesés.

✓

Les métaux que j'ai pesé.

Plural agreement error.
✗

Les avantages que j'ai valus.

✓

Les avantages que j'ai valu.

Plural agreement error.

Sentence Patterns

Les ___ que j'ai pesé sont lourds.

Combien ont ___ ces chaussures ?

Le prix que ces objets ont ___ est élevé.

Les efforts que j'ai ___ ont été utiles.

Real World Usage

Grocery Store very common

Les tomates que j'ai pesé sont bio.

Clothing Store very common

La robe que j'ai coûté était en solde.

Airport common

Les valises que j'ai pesé sont lourdes.

Investment Meeting occasional

Les actions que nous avons valu ont monté.

Social Media common

Les chaussures que j'ai coûté, c'était cher !

Texting common

Les sacs que j'ai pesé, c'est bon.

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💡

The 'No-Change' Rule

Just remember: these three verbs never change. Don't look for the object!
⚠️

Avoid Over-Correction

Don't add an 'e' just because you see a feminine noun. It's a trap!
🎯

Focus on the Verb

If you see 'coûter', 'peser', or 'valoir', stop and think: 'No agreement!'
💬

Natural Sounding

Using this rule correctly makes you sound like a native speaker.

Smart Tips

Stop and check if you are adding an 'e'. If you are, delete it!

La robe que j'ai coûtée. → La robe que j'ai coûté.

Remember that 'peser' is one of the three special verbs.

Les pommes que j'ai pesées. → Les pommes que j'ai pesé.

Use 'valoir' without agreement.

Les efforts que j'ai valus. → Les efforts que j'ai valu.

Scan for these three verbs and ensure they have no extra letters.

Les sacs que j'ai pesés. → Les sacs que j'ai pesé.

Pronunciation

coûté /ku.te/

Participle ending

The 'é' sound is always /e/ regardless of the spelling.

Declarative

J'ai coûté cher. ↘

Stating a fact.

Memorize It

Mnemonic

Coûter, Peser, Valoir: The 'No-Agreement' Trio. They are too busy measuring to worry about grammar!

Visual Association

Imagine a scale (peser) and a price tag (coûter) floating in the air. They are wearing heavy lead boots that prevent them from moving or changing their shape.

Rhyme

Coûter, peser, valoir, / Ne changent jamais, c'est à savoir!

Story

A shopkeeper named Pierre is very lazy. He refuses to change his labels. Whether he sells one apple or ten, he writes 'pesé' and 'coûté' exactly the same way. He says, 'Grammar is too much work, I prefer to keep it simple!'

Word Web

coûterpeservaloirprixpoidsvaleurinvariable

Challenge

Write three sentences about your last shopping trip using these verbs and check that you haven't added any extra letters.

Cultural Notes

In France, these verbs are used frequently in markets and shops.

The usage is identical, though 'coûter cher' is very common.

Similar usage, often used in formal business contexts.

These verbs derive from Latin roots (costare, pensare, valere).

Conversation Starters

“

Combien ont coûté tes vacances ?

“

As-tu pesé tes bagages ?

“

Est-ce que cet effort a valu la peine ?

“

Quels objets as-tu pesé aujourd'hui ?

Journal Prompts

Describe your last trip to the grocery store.
Write about a purchase you regret.
Discuss a project that was worth the effort.
Reflect on the cost of a major life decision.

Common Mistakes

Incorrect

Correct

Incorrect

Correct

Incorrect

Correct

Incorrect

Correct

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Test Yourself

Fill in the blank with the correct form.

Les pommes que j'ai ___ sont bonnes.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: pesé
Invariable verb.
Choose the correct sentence. Multiple Choice

Which is correct?

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: La robe que j'ai coûté.
Invariable verb.
Find the error. Error Correction

Find and fix the mistake:

Les sacs que j'ai pesés sont lourds.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: pesés
Should be 'pesé'.
Build the sentence. Sentence Building

que / j'ai / les / pesé / sacs

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: Les sacs que j'ai pesé.
Correct word order.
Conjugate the verb. Conjugation Drill

Ils (coûter) ___ cher.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: ont coûté
Invariable.
Match the verb to its meaning. Match Pairs

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

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: coûter - cost
Correct meaning.
Is this true? True False Rule

Do 'coûter', 'peser', 'valoir' agree with the object?

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: False
They are invariable.
Complete the dialogue. Dialogue Completion

A: Combien ont ___ ces fleurs? B: Elles ont coûté 10 euros.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: coûté
Invariable.

Score: /8

Practice Exercises

8 exercises
Fill in the blank with the correct form.

Les pommes que j'ai ___ sont bonnes.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: pesé
Invariable verb.
Choose the correct sentence. Multiple Choice

Which is correct?

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: La robe que j'ai coûté.
Invariable verb.
Find the error. Error Correction

Find and fix the mistake:

Les sacs que j'ai pesés sont lourds.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: pesés
Should be 'pesé'.
Build the sentence. Sentence Building

que / j'ai / les / pesé / sacs

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: Les sacs que j'ai pesé.
Correct word order.
Conjugate the verb. Conjugation Drill

Ils (coûter) ___ cher.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: ont coûté
Invariable.
Match the verb to its meaning. Match Pairs

Match:

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: coûter - cost
Correct meaning.
Is this true? True False Rule

Do 'coûter', 'peser', 'valoir' agree with the object?

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: False
They are invariable.
Complete the dialogue. Dialogue Completion

A: Combien ont ___ ces fleurs? B: Elles ont coûté 10 euros.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: coûté
Invariable.

Score: /8

Practice Bank

10 exercises
Complete the sentence with the correct form of 'peser'. Fill in the Blank

Les deux kilos que ces fruits ont ____ sont sur la table.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: pesé
Identify the correct version. Multiple Choice

Which one correctly describes the cost of the tickets?

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: Les 80 euros que les tickets ont coûté.
Fix the agreement error. Error Correction

Les efforts que ce travail m'a coûté étaient énormes. (Wait, is this literal?)

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: Les efforts que ce travail m'a coûtés étaient énormes.
Put the words in the right order. Sentence Reorder

coûté / 10 / que / a / Les / ce / euros / livre

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: Les 10 euros que ce livre a coûté
Translate to French. Translation

The 3 kilos that the cat weighed.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: Les 3 kilos que le chat a pesé.
Match the verb with its literal meaning. Match Pairs

Match the pairs:

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: coûter : Price, peser : Weight, valoir : Value, mesurer : Length
Select the correct sentence. Multiple Choice

Regarding a laptop's price:

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: Les mille euros que cet ordi a coûté.
Fill in the blank. Fill in the Blank

La fortune que ce château a ____ est incroyable.

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

Tu te souviens des 4 kilos que le bébé a pesés à la naissance ?

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: Tu te souviens des 4 kilos que le bébé a pesé à la naissance ?
Translate to French. Translation

The money it cost.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: L'argent que ça a coûté.

Score: /10

FAQ (8)

They are considered stative verbs of measurement, which do not take a direct object in the same way as transitive verbs.

This rule specifically applies to the passé composé.

It still doesn't matter! The verb remains invariable.

Yes, especially in business or when discussing the worth of something.

These three are the most common exceptions.

Yes, but the agreement rule only applies to the passé composé.

Adding an 'e' or 's' because of the object's gender or number.

Use the mnemonic 'The Invariable Trio'.

Scaffolded Practice

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1

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2

3

3

4

4

Mastery Progress

Needs Practice

Improving

Strong

Mastered

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In Other Languages

Spanish high

costar, pesar, valer

Spanish doesn't have the 'preceding direct object' agreement rule.

German moderate

kosten, wiegen, gelten

German is naturally invariable.

Japanese low

kakarimasu, omosa, kachi

Japanese has no verb conjugation for gender/number.

Arabic low

takallafa, wazana, sawiya

Arabic agreement is subject-based.

Chinese none

huafei, chengzhong, jiazhi

Chinese verbs are invariable.

French high

coûter, peser, valoir

The rule is a specific exception to standard agreement.

Learning Path

Prerequisites

Next
The Past Participle of 'Coûter': Money vs. Metaphor

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