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French frequency list

No. 1,449 in French

aient

"Aient" is the third-person plural subjunctive or imperfect form of the verb "avoir," meaning "have."

In a sentence

  • Il faut que les étudiants aient appris les règles avant l'examen.

    The students must have learned the rules before the exam.

    In this sentence, 'aient' is used as the third person plural form of the subjunctive mood of the verb 'avoir', expressing necessity or a hypothetical situation.

  • Je voulais qu'ils aient tout préparé avant le début de la réunion.

    I wanted them to have everything prepared before the meeting starts.

    Here, 'aient' functions as part of the subjunctive to indicate an action required to have been completed under a past wish or command.

  • Bien qu'elles aient peu de temps, elles ont accompli beaucoup de choses.

    Although they have little time, they have accomplished a lot.

    In this instance, 'aient' conveys the present subjunctive mood following a concessive phrase (bien que), illustrating contrast or unexpected outcome.

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