How does se passer differ from passer with être?

Heyes S.C1Kwiziq community member

How does se passer differ from passer with être?

Asked 6 years ago
Jim J.C1 Kwiziq Q&A super contributor Correct answer

Se passer has the meaning of to take place or to happen and takes être as does all pronominal verbs.

Passer can be used with a direct object (transitive) and takes avoir or with an indirect object (intransitive) and has to take être.

Hope this helps.

Alan

Chris W.C1 Kwiziq Q&A super contributor Correct answer

Just to build upon Jim's explanation:

Je suis passé chez Élise. 
I passed by Élise's place. 
-> intransitive, hence être 

J'y ai passé beaucoup de temps. 
I spent a lot of time there. 
-> transitive, hence avoir 

-- Chris (not a native speaker).

Heyes S.C1Kwiziq community member
Yes, it does. Thank you.
Joanne H.B2Kwiziq community member

Hello,

If I want to say "I passed by Bob's house today," I would say, "Je suis passe chez Bob." Is that correct? If it is, I don't understand how "chez Bob" is an indirect object. Just a bit confused here. Thanks for any help you can provide.

How does se passer differ from passer with être?

Sign in to submit your answer

Don't have an account yet? Join today

Ask a question

Find your French level for FREE

Test your French to the CEFR standard

Find your French level
Getting that for you now...