Stephanie
Which is correct and why?Tu es descendu l'escalier vite.Tu as descendu l'escalier vite. I know to use être on passé composé with descendre normally, and avoir when there is a direct object and the meaning is took down. To me in this sentence we are not saying he took down the stairs ( not in the same way you would take down a case of wine to a cellar perhaps) but rather that he was descending and the place where that was happening was the stairs. The book I have says to use as with this example, but it seems strange to me.
Jan 11, 2016 4:11 AM
Answers · 2
1
"il est descendu" would be correct if the sentence was finished. But by adding a complement (he went down what? the stairs), we need to use avoir "il a descendu l'escalier". I know he didn't take the stairs in his hands, like he would with a case of wine, but it doesn't matter, the grammar is the same. "Monter" and "descendre" are not exactly like their English counterparts so don't over think it. Copy good sentences until they feel natural.
January 11, 2016
1
The correct answer is je suis descendu because you are describing an action accomplished by yourself.
January 11, 2016
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