Language & Literature

Dr Mrs Vandertramp Quiz: Practice etre verbs in the passe compose

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This quiz helps you practice Dr & Mrs Vandertramp verbs in the passe compose with etre, choose the right auxiliary, and check agreement. For extra practice, take the etre and avoir quiz, review tricky forms with the irregular past participles french quiz, or compare tenses in the passe compose vs imparfait quiz.

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1Which of these verbs does not use [@U00EA]tre in the pass[@U00E9] compos[@U00E9]?
2What is the correct past participle of 'aller'?
3Which auxiliary verb is used with 'monter' when it[@U2019]s intransitive?
4What does the Dr & Mrs Vandertramp verb 'venir' mean in English?
5How do you say 'They went up the stairs' in French using the correct auxiliary?
6Which of these verbs is not part of the Dr & Mrs Vandertramp list?
7What is the past participle of 'mourir'?
8Choose the correct form: 'Elle ___ (revenir) hier soir.'
9Which verb from the list uses avoir when it[@U2019]s used transitively?
10Fill in the blank: 'Nous ___ (tomber) dans la rue.'
11Which sentence is correct for 'She was born in 1990'?
12What is the past participle of 'rester'?
13Which verb means 'to return' in the Dr & Mrs Vandertramp list?
14In pass[@U00E9] compos[@U00E9], what does 'nous sommes partis' mean?
15Which is the correct pass[@U00E9] compos[@U00E9] for 'ils partir pour Paris'?
16Which of these verbs from the list uses [@U00EA]tre when it[@U2019]s intransitive but avoir when transitive?
17How do you say 'He climbed down from the roof' in French?
18Which sentence correctly shows past participle agreement for 'tomber'?
19What is the past participle of 'na[@U00EE]tre' and how does it agree in a feminine sentence?
20Which auxiliary is correct in this sentence: 'Elle ___ la valise' (to take out the suitcase)?
21Which sentence is ungrammatical due to the wrong auxiliary verb?
22Which verb in the Dr & Mrs Vandertramp list requires agreement with the subject in both gender and number?
23How do you write 'They (feminine) returned home late' in French?
24Which Dr & Mrs Vandertramp verb can take either avoir or [@U00EA]tre with a change of meaning?
25What is the semantic difference when 'passer' uses avoir instead of [@U00EA]tre?
Learning Goals

Study Outcomes

  1. Identify Dr & Mrs Vandertramp Verbs -

    Learn to recognize the full set of dr mrs vandertramp verbs and distinguish them from other French verbs.

  2. Conjugate with être in passé composé -

    Apply the correct auxiliary and agreement rules when forming the passé composé for each doctor and mrs vandertramp verb.

  3. Differentiate Auxiliary Usage -

    Analyze when to use être versus avoir by contrasting Dr & Mrs Vandertramp verbs with verbs that take the avoir auxiliary.

  4. Apply Knowledge in Quiz Contexts -

    Reinforce your understanding by accurately answering quiz questions that test dr and mrs vandertramp verbs in various scenarios.

  5. Interpret Instant Feedback -

    Use real-time feedback on each answer to pinpoint mistakes, strengthen weak areas, and build confidence in your conjugations.

Study Guide

Cheat Sheet

  1. Master the Dr & Mrs Vandertramp Acronym -

    The "Dr & Mrs Vandertramp" mnemonic stands for Devenir, Revenir, Monter, Rester, Sortir, Venir, Aller, Naître, Descendre, Entrer, Retourner, Tomber, Rentrer, Arriver, Mourir, Partir. As noted by the French Ministry of Education, this handy phrase helps you recall the 16 verbs that form their passé composé with être. Try chanting "Dr & Mrs Vandertramp went to the past" to lock it into long-term memory.

  2. Use Être as the Auxiliary -

    Unlike most French verbs that use avoir, all dr mrs vandertramp verbs require être in the passé composé, per University of Cambridge French guides. For example, "je suis allé(e)" or "nous sommes venus" both use the conjugated form of être plus the past participle. Practicing conjugation charts from reputable sources like the University of Texas can reinforce this pattern.

  3. Agree Your Past Participle -

    When forming passé composé with être, the past participle agrees in gender and number with the subject. According to Sorbonne University resources, you write "elle est partie" but "ils sont partis." Remember to add an extra "e" for feminine and an "s" for plural - this simple rule boosts accuracy instantly.

  4. Memorize Irregular Participles -

    Certain dr and mrs vandertramp verbs have irregular past participles you must learn separately, such as "venu" for venir, "né" for naître, and "mort" for mourir. The Académie Française publishes an official list - reviewing it regularly can save you from common mistakes. Flashcards with image cues (a baby for naître, for instance) make irregulars stick faster.

  5. Spot Dual-Auxiliary Verbs -

    Some verbs like monter, descendre, sortir, and rentrer can take either être or avoir depending on whether they're used transitively. For example, "elle a monté les valises" uses avoir, while "elle est montée" uses être. Consulting reliable grammar sites (e.g., CNRTL) and doing targeted drills helps you master these tricky cases.

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Updated Feb 21, 2026