Gérondif passé

B2

Past Gerund

The past gerund (gérondif passé) is formed with en + ayant/étant + past participle to describe completed actions.

The gérondif passé indicates completed actions, the manner of a completed action, or the means by which it was achieved:

• En ayant fini l'année avec des bénéfices importants, l'entreprise a distribué une participation aux salariés.
  • Having finished the year with significant profits, the company distributed a profit-sharing bonus to the employees.

While the gérondif présent describes ongoing actions:

• En profitant de mes vacances, je réfléchis à changer d'entreprise.
  • While enjoying my vacation, I’m thinking about switching companies.

It is invariable, not agreeing in gender or number with the subject.

It’s common in formal or written French, especially in professional or descriptive contexts.

Formation of Past Gerund

The gérondif passé is formed by having:

• en ayant + Past Participle (for most verbs), or
• en étant + Past Participle (for intransitive verbs of motion or reflexives)

See here for more information about the Past Participle.

Common Verbs

Examples

• En ayant travaillé dur, elle a obtenu une promotion.
  • Having worked hard, she got a promotion.
• En étant arrivé tôt, il a pris de l'avance sur son travail.
  • Having arrived early, he got ahead on his work.