au sous-sol.
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SheilaKwiziq Q&A regular contributor
au sous-sol.
I understand that we use être w hen certain verbs are followed by a preposition but isn't 'au' as in 'J'ai descendu les boîtes au sous-sol.', a preposition or have I got that wrong - again!
This question relates to:French lesson "Descendre can be used with avoir or être in compound tenses depending on its meaning in French (Le Passé Composé)"
Asked 7 years ago
Bonjour Sheila !
I understand your confusion, but here "au sous-sol" doesn't follow and relate to the verb "descendre". In this sentence, "descendre" is followed by a direct object (to take [something] down), therefore you use "avoir", even though you're adding a location *where* you're taking these boxes.
The meaning is different: it's "to take [something] down [somewhere]" vs "to go down [somewhere]".
I hope that's helpful!
À bientôt !
I understand your confusion, but here "au sous-sol" doesn't follow and relate to the verb "descendre". In this sentence, "descendre" is followed by a direct object (to take [something] down), therefore you use "avoir", even though you're adding a location *where* you're taking these boxes.
The meaning is different: it's "to take [something] down [somewhere]" vs "to go down [somewhere]".
I hope that's helpful!
À bientôt !
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