In French grammar, mastering verb tenses is essential for anyone aiming to become fluent. One of the more advanced yet highly useful tenses is the faire plus-que-parfait. This tense can be seen as a combination of the past perfect tense in English and the verb faire, which is a highly versatile verb meaning to do or to make. Understanding how the faire plus-que-parfait works, when to use it, and how to form it correctly can help elevate your grasp of French language structure, especially in storytelling, reporting events, or expressing past intentions.
Understanding the Plus-Que-Parfait Tense
The plus-que-parfait tense in French is used to describe an action that had already been completed before another past action. In English, this corresponds to the past perfect tense, as in I had done, she had eaten, or they had gone. The plus-que-parfait gives context and depth to past events, making it ideal for narratives and more nuanced conversations.
What is Faire Plus-Que-Parfait?
Faire plus-que-parfait specifically refers to conjugating the verb faire in the plus-que-parfait tense. Because faire is such a commonly used verb in French, being able to use it in this past-perfect form is incredibly useful. It allows speakers to talk about actions that they had already completed before another point in the past.
How to Form the Faire Plus-Que-Parfait
To form the faire plus-que-parfait, you need two parts:
- The imperfect (imparfait) tense of the auxiliary verb avoir
- The past participle of faire, which is fait
Here is the conjugation of faire in the plus-que-parfait:
- J’avais fait – I had done
- Tu avais fait – You had done
- Il/elle/on avait fait – He/she/one had done
- Nous avions fait – We had done
- Vous aviez fait – You (plural/formal) had done
- Ils/elles avaient fait – They had done
Note that avoir is used in the imperfect form, and fait remains unchanged as the past participle.
Examples in Context
To understand the faire plus-que-parfait more clearly, here are a few examples used in full sentences:
- J’avais fait mes devoirs avant de sortir.– I had done my homework before going out.
- Elle avait fait le gâteau avant l’arrivée des invités.– She had made the cake before the guests arrived.
- Nous avions fait une réservation à l’hôtel.– We had made a reservation at the hotel.
As you can see, these examples show two related actions, with the action using the plus-que-parfait occurring before another event in the past.
When to Use Faire Plus-Que-Parfait
The faire plus-que-parfait is typically used in the following situations:
1. Narrating Past Events
When telling a story or recounting a past situation, the faire plus-que-parfait helps establish a sequence of events, especially to show what happened before something else.
2. Expressing Regret or Hypotheticals
It’s often used with conditional tenses to express regret or to talk about hypothetical past situations:
Si j’avais fait plus attention, je n’aurais pas échoué.– If I had paid more attention, I wouldn’t have failed.
3. Giving Explanations or Reasons
It can explain why something happened in the past:
Il avait fait une erreur, c’est pourquoi il a perdu son emploi.– He had made a mistake, which is why he lost his job.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Learning a new tense can be tricky, and there are some common pitfalls to avoid when using the faire plus-que-parfait:
- Using the wrong auxiliary verb. Faire always uses avoir as its auxiliary, not être.
- Incorrect conjugation of avoir in the imperfect tense. It must match the subject in both person and number.
- Misplacing the past participle. Fait should follow directly after the conjugated auxiliary verb.
Tips for Mastering Faire Plus-Que-Parfait
Here are a few effective strategies for internalizing the usage of the faire plus-que-parfait:
Practice with Sequences
Write or say sentences that include two past events. Try to use the plus-que-parfait for the first event and the passé composé or imparfait for the second.
Read French Literature
Books and short stories written in French often include plus-que-parfait. Observing how it is used in natural contexts can strengthen your understanding.
Use Audio Practice
Listening to podcasts, audiobooks, or French language videos that include narrative content will expose you to real-time usage of the tense.
Difference Between Faire Plus-Que-Parfait and Passé Composé
It’s essential not to confuse the faire plus-que-parfait with the passé composé. While both describe actions in the past, their functions differ significantly:
- Passé composé: Describes actions completed in the past.
- Plus-que-parfait: Describes actions that were already completed before another past action.
For example:
- J’ai fait mes devoirs.– I did my homework. (passé composé)
- J’avais fait mes devoirs avant de manger.– I had done my homework before eating. (plus-que-parfait)
Why Learning Faire Plus-Que-Parfait Matters
Although not always the first tense learned by French language students, the faire plus-que-parfait adds richness and precision to expression. It is particularly valuable for students progressing to intermediate or advanced levels of fluency. Whether you are writing essays, recounting experiences, or reading literary texts, the ability to use faire in this tense provides clarity in temporal relationships.
Learning the faire plus-que-parfait tense is an important step for any serious student of the French language. By understanding its structure, purpose, and common contexts, you gain access to more nuanced and expressive ways to speak or write. While it may seem complex at first, consistent exposure and practice will lead to mastery. Incorporate it into your daily French exercises, and soon you’ll find yourself naturally using this elegant and essential verb form with confidence.