When learning French, recognising Le Passé Simple is very important as it is used in literature and other French writings.
Learn to recognise FAIRE (to do) and their derivatives in Le Passé Simple in French
Look at these examples:
ConfirmJe fis mes devoirs pendant qu'elles se préparaient.I did my homework while they were getting ready.
ConfirmBilbon fit très attention à ne pas réveiller le dragon.Bilbo was very careful not to wake the dragon.
ConfirmLorsque nous fîmes nos bagages, nous essayâmes d'aller le plus vite possible.When we packed our bags, we tried to go as fast as possible.
ConfirmVous fîtes la cuisine pour vingt personnes ce jour-là !You cooked for twenty people that day!
ConfirmTerrifiés, nos héros firent demi-tour et s'enfuirent en courant.Terrified, our heroes turned around and ran away.
To conjugate faire in Le Passé Simple, here is what to do:
'f-' + endings: -is, -is, -it, -îmes, -îtes, -irent
ATTENTION: It's easy to confuse je fis (faire) with je fus (être)!
See the matching lesson: Recognising être in the historic past in French (Le Passé Simple)
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Learn more about these related French grammar topics
Examples and resources
ConfirmVous fîtes la cuisine pour vingt personnes ce jour-là !You cooked for twenty people that day!
ConfirmJe fis mes devoirs pendant qu'elles se préparaient.I did my homework while they were getting ready.
ConfirmLorsque nous fîmes nos bagages, nous essayâmes d'aller le plus vite possible.When we packed our bags, we tried to go as fast as possible.
ConfirmTerrifiés, nos héros firent demi-tour et s'enfuirent en courant.Terrified, our heroes turned around and ran away.
ConfirmBilbon fit très attention à ne pas réveiller le dragon.Bilbo was very careful not to wake the dragon.
