tenir passé composé conjugation
Tenir (to hold) in the passé composé: ai tenu, as tenu, a tenu, avons tenu, avez tenu, ont tenu.
Passé composé Compound past
| j' | |
|---|---|
| tu | |
| il/elle/on | |
| nous | |
| vous | |
| ils/elles |
ending regular · irr breaks the pattern · tap a form to hear it
When to use the passé composé
The passé composé is the everyday past tense for completed actions: “Hier, j’ai mangé au restaurant.” It is built from avoir or être in the present plus the past participle.
How it is formed
Present of avoir (or être for the “house of être” verbs and all reflexive verbs) + past participle. With être the participle agrees with the subject: elle est allée, ils sont allés.
Tenir is irregular here. 6 of 6 forms break the pattern (dark tiles above). The irregular part is the past participle, tenu; the auxiliary is conjugated normally.
Read more: Passé composé: avoir or être?
Tenir in a sentence
- Je tiens ce livre dans mes mains.I'm holding this book in my hands.
- Elle a tenu sa promesse.She kept her promise.
Irregular, conjugated like 'venir'; 'tenir à' means to be attached/keen to.
FAQ
What is the passé composé of tenir?
Tenir in the French passé composé: j' ai tenu, tu as tenu, il/elle/on a tenu, nous avons tenu, vous avez tenu, ils/elles ont tenu.
Is tenir irregular in the passé composé?
Yes. 6 of 6 forms break the regular pattern: j' ai tenu; tu as tenu; il/elle/on a tenu; nous avons tenu; vous avez tenu; ils/elles ont tenu.
When do you use the French passé composé?
The passé composé is the everyday past tense for completed actions: “Hier, j’ai mangé au restaurant.” It is built from avoir or être in the present plus the past participle.
How is the passé composé formed?
Present of avoir (or être for the “house of être” verbs and all reflexive verbs) + past participle. With être the participle agrees with the subject: elle est allée, ils sont allés.
Full tenir conjugation, all tenses →
Drill it with flashcards →