- If in doubt about ĂȘtre vs avoir: check if the verb is on the DR MRS VANDERTRAMP list, or if it has a reflexive se â if yes, use ĂȘtre.
- In writing tasks, show gender awareness by writing allé(e) when you are writing as yourself.
- Agreement only adds one or two letters â but examiners notice it and reward it at Higher.
- After an ĂȘtre verb in a sentence with multiple verbs, the next verb may switch back to avoir: je suis allĂ© au marchĂ© et j'ai achetĂ© des lĂ©gumes.
â Common error: Je suis allĂ© au magasin et j'ai achetĂ© une veste, et aprĂšs je suis rentrĂ© chez moi et j'ai mangĂ© â then students forget the switch: "et je suis mangĂ©".
â Correct: âŠet j'ai mangĂ© (not je suis mangĂ©). Manger uses avoir.
Why it costs marks: After correctly using ĂȘtre for rentrer, students sometimes carry the pattern forward incorrectly to the next verb. Always ask: is the next verb on the DR MRS VANDERTRAMP list or reflexive? If not, return to avoir.
This exam tips covers Exam Tips & Common Errors within The perfect tense with ĂȘtre and reflexive verbs for GCSE French. Revise The perfect tense with ĂȘtre and reflexive verbs in Time Markers and the Three Time Frames for GCSE French with 15 exam-style questions and 15 flashcards. This topic shows up very often in GCSE exams, so students should be able to explain it clearly, not just recognise the term. It is section 4 of 4 in this topic. Treat this as a marking guide for what examiners are looking for, not just a fact list.
Practice questions for The perfect tense with ĂȘtre and reflexive verbs
What is the correct formula for forming the perfect tense with ĂȘtre?
The mnemonic MRS VAN DER TRAMP helps students remember verbs that use ĂȘtre. Which of the following verbs is NOT part of this group?