Se brosser

Valerie O.C1Kwiziq Q&A regular contributor

Se brosser

Question: Doing some review before taking an immersion class. To the question: Please translate s'brosser in passe compose "We brushed our hair", I wrote: "Nous nous sommes brosses..." (with the correct accent). Response was that it was nearly correct and should have been "Nous nous sommes brosse". I don't get it. Why would it be singular? Thanks in advance. 

Asked 2 years ago
CécileNative French expert teacher in KwiziqCorrect answer

HI Valerie, 

Just to add to what has already been said, you might find my answer to Leah pertinent.

https://french.kwiziq.com/questions/view/agreement-of-reflexive-verbs

 

Bonne Continuation !

Jim J.C1 Kwiziq Q&A super contributor

Hi Valerie,

Nous nous sommes brossés ....  should be the correct conjugation for passé composé first person plural.

Bonne journée

Jim

Maarten K.C1 Kwiziq Q&A super contributor

There is no ‘number’ agreement here as the direct object is ‘les cheveux’, follows the conjugated verb and the first ‘nous’ is the subject pronoun and the second ‘nous’, the indirect object pronoun.

I am sure Céline or Cécile will be able to add some links to previous discussion, which I can’t locate presently.  

Link below from Laura Lawless also explains. 

https://www.lawlessfrench.com/grammar/agreement-with-pronominal-verbs/

Valerie O. asked:

Se brosser

Question: Doing some review before taking an immersion class. To the question: Please translate s'brosser in passe compose "We brushed our hair", I wrote: "Nous nous sommes brosses..." (with the correct accent). Response was that it was nearly correct and should have been "Nous nous sommes brosse". I don't get it. Why would it be singular? Thanks in advance. 

Sign in to submit your answer

Don't have an account yet? Join today

Ask a question

Find your French level for FREE

Test your French to the CEFR standard

Find your French level
I'll be right with you...