Passe Simple De Pouvoir

Passé Simple Pouvoir

Passé Simple de Pouvoir

Formation

The passé simple of pouvoir is formed by dropping the infinitive ending -oir and adding the following endings:

• -us (first person singular)
• -us (second person singular)
• -ut (third person singular)
• -ûmes (first person plural)
• -ûtes (second person plural)
• -urent (third person plural)

For example:

• Je pus (I was able to)
• Tu pus (You were able to)
• Il put (He was able to)
• Nous pûmes (We were able to)
• Vous pûtes (You were able to)
• Ils purent (They were able to)

Usage

The passé simple of pouvoir is used to express an ability or possibility that existed in the past but no longer does. It is often used in narrative or historical contexts.

For example:

• Je pus sortir de la maison avant qu'il ne pleuve. (I was able to leave the house before it rained.)
• Ils purent traverser la rivière à pied. (They were able to cross the river on foot.)

Additional Notes

The passé simple of pouvoir can also be used to express permission or possibility.

For example:

• Tu pus partir quand tu le voulus. (You were able to leave whenever you wanted.)
• Il put venir à la fête malgré son emploi du temps chargé. (He was able to come to the party despite his busy schedule.)