Why does this lesson show apparaître as an exception to the rule when the past particple is apparu?

ShelleyC1Kwiziq community member

Why does this lesson show apparaître as an exception to the rule when the past particple is apparu?

Asked 5 years ago
CécileKwiziq team memberCorrect answer

Hi Shelley,

The lesson on 'apparaître' is still being prepared but I will try to answer your question here-

In the sense of 'to appear' as in an event you can actually use both. You will hear "Le soleil est finalement apparu cet après-midi." or "Le soleil a finalement apparu... "The sun finally made an appearance this afternoon.)

The difference being emphasis on the action (using 'avoir') or the result (using 'être').

It is indeed a very subtle distinction and I would not worry too much about it ...

e.g

Les documents sont apparus/ont apparu ce matin.

The documents appeared/materialised  this morning.

both are possible.

Hope this helps!

AlanC1 Kwiziq Q&A super contributor

I think it's because the passé composé of apparaître is normally formed with être instead of avoir.

(There should be a link to a lesson that explains that, but it seems to be broken.)

ShelleyC1Kwiziq community member
Thank you for the quick response, Alan. I was not thinking about the auxiliary verb. I hope that the link to the lesson that explains that can be restored because apparaître is sometimes conjugated with être and sometimes with avoir, but I am not clear about the different circumstances.
ShelleyC1Kwiziq community member
This is very helpful, thank you! I look forward to studying the lesson on "apparaître" when it is completed, as I find that the explanations (and examples) that you and your team produce are very  clear and easy to understand, as well as very thorough.
TomaszB1Kwiziq community member

So the reason of being an exception isn't a past participle form.

Shelley asked:View original

Why does this lesson show apparaître as an exception to the rule when the past particple is apparu?

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