Proper auxillary

Question

The lesson says:  - We use the auxiliary verb être conjugated in a compound tense*, followed by the past participle of the verb.   However, all the examples use avoir, not etre.    I'm assuming etre is a mistake.

Accepted Answer

Hi Chip,
The passive uses the auxiliary 'être', just as in English -
est + PP = is 
a été + PP = has been
aura été + PP = will have been
aurait été + PP = would have been 
etc. 
The verb être, using avoir as an auxiliary ( just as avoir does ----> avoir eu )
I hope that helps!

Answer

Doesn't help at all.  Why are we using "avoir" instead of "être"?

Answer

Hi Robin, 
Please take a look at the following lesson on forming a passive voice with simple tenses which uses the verb 'être'  -
https://french.kwiziq.com/revision/grammar/how-to-form-the-passive-voice-with-simple-tenses-la-voix-passive
With compound tenses, you conjugate the verb 'être' which takes the auxiliary  'avoir'  as per lesson about its passé composé  -
https://french.kwiziq.com/revision/grammar/passe-compose-conversational-past-conjugation-of-etre
I think this might be the reason you think we are using 'avoir' but in fact, it is still the verb 'être' conjugated.
Hope this helps!