Whenever saying similar to “ mes parents” or “mes sœurs”, what would be the correct verb ending to use?

Very S.Kwiziq community member

Whenever saying similar to “ mes parents” or “mes sœurs”, what would be the correct verb ending to use?

Would you use the  “he/she” verb ending or the “ they” verb ending?

Asked 5 years ago
CécileNative French expert teacher in KwiziqCorrect answer

Hi very,

For 'mes parents' and 'mes sœurs' you would use the 'ils/elles' ending which is the third person plural -

Ils/elles +

sont/ vont/ font/ prennent/ choisissent/ vendent 

 

 

etc.

Hope this helps! 

Chris W.C1 Kwiziq Q&A super contributor

Can you post a concrete sentence as an example of what exactly you have a problem with? But in general, you would use the verb in plural to refer to a plural subject:

My sisters live in Paris. -- Mes soeurs habitent à Paris.

Lisa H.A1Kwiziq Q&A regular contributor

For mes parents or mes sœurs, the correct verb ending would be the third person plural, ie., “ils/elles” verb ending. What has helped me is to say it to myself in the following way: My sisters (they) live with me. While my sisters (she) lives with me doesn’t make sense. Hope that helps and makes sense. 

Whenever saying similar to “ mes parents” or “mes sœurs”, what would be the correct verb ending to use?

Would you use the  “he/she” verb ending or the “ they” verb ending?

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