This tense has usually been called the "past definite," and sometimes the "preterite." It is really the aorist tense, for, in itself, it does not point out an action as having occurred at a definite point of time in the past. When, in connec tion with this tense, a definite time is pointed out, it is done by some adverb or other word or words in the sentence, and not by the verbal form, which simply indicates momentary action, in a period of time wholly past. This tense is regularly used in subordinate or dependent sentences. Ex. Quand ils eurent achevé de jouer, ils se mirent à chanter, when they had done playing, they began singing. NOTE. The third persons of the present subjunctive are used for the third persons of the imperative. REM. For many common idioms with avoir, see § 139. having had. Je serai, FUTURE. I shall be. thou wilt be. he will be. Tu seras, Il sera, we shall be. Vous serez, Ils seront, FUTURE PERFECT. J'aurai été, I shall have been. Tu auras été, thou wilt have been. Il aura été, he will have been. Nous aurons été, we shall have been, you will be. Vous aurez été, you will have been. they will be. Ils auront été, they will have been. |