French utilizes be as the auxiliary verb for a specific subset of verbs

the verdict

SUPPORTED

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2 sources for · 0 against

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Is it true that French utilizes be as the auxiliary verb for a specific subset of verbs?

Yes. French employs 'être' (to be) as the auxiliary verb for a specific subset of verbs, particularly unaccusative and reflexive intransitive verbs, as demonstrated in linguistic studies on auxiliary selection.

Verdict: SUPPORTED · 2 sources for, 0 against · Last checked 4 Aug 2026

The analysis

The claim states that French utilizes 'be' as the auxiliary verb for a specific subset of verbs. Papers [0] and [11] directly discuss auxiliary selection in Romance languages including French, focusing on how specific subsets of verbs (such as intransitive or peripheral verbs) select between auxiliaries like 'être' and 'avoir'. The evidence directly supports the claim.

Evidence for · 2

Gradients in Auxiliary Selection with Intransitive Verbs

2000

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Sorace, A. (2000). Gradients in Auxiliary Selection with Intransitive Verbs. doi.org. https://doi.org/10.2307/417202

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More for · 1

Auxiliary selection in Italian and French : a comparative study of the so-called peripheral verbs

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Viale, G. (n.d.). Auxiliary selection in Italian and French : a comparative study of the so-called peripheral verbs. doi.org. https://doi.org/10.70675/104c96b0zdb2ez4292z88f1z4841e5dddb8b

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first checked04 Aug 2026

judged → SUPPORTED · 9004 Aug 2026

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