Movement verbs with Could have and Should have

Kristin L.A1Kwiziq community member

Movement verbs with Could have and Should have

If would have + movement verb uses Être, would this apply to should have and could have versions of the same sentence? Or do they continue to use avoir + dû/pu ?  

Asked 3 months ago
Chris W.C1 Kwiziq Q&A super contributor Correct answer

I would have gone to the movies. -- Je serais allé au cinéma.
I should have gone to the movies. -- J'aurais dû aller au cinéma.
I could have gone to the movies. -- J'aurais pu aller au cinéma.

Note that the auxiliary verb is avoir in the case of should have and could have. This is dictated by the conjugated verb being devoir and pouvoir. In case of "would have" the use of être as auxiliary verb is, of course, due to aller.

Movement verbs with Could have and Should have

If would have + movement verb uses Être, would this apply to should have and could have versions of the same sentence? Or do they continue to use avoir + dû/pu ?  

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
Let me take a look at that...