Quick Summary

In a professional context, ‘passer’ is the standard verb for undergoing an evaluation or interview. Mastering its usage is essential for describing your recruitment process accurately.

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Core Lessons & Contextual Examples

1. Je dois passer un entretien demain.

English Translation: I have a job interview tomorrow.

Nuance Note: Using ‘passer’ indicates you are the candidate undergoing the formal assessment process.

2. J’ai passé plusieurs entretiens avec succès.

English Translation: I have successfully completed several interviews.

Nuance Note: The past tense ‘passé’ confirms the completion of the interview stage.

3. Comment s’est passé votre entretien ?

English Translation: How did your interview go?

Nuance Note: This reflexive construction is the standard way to inquire about the outcome or experience of an event.

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Common Mistakes to Avoid

❌ Pitfall 1: Grammatical Trap (Click to Reveal)

• Incorrect: J’ai fait un entretien.
• Correct: J’ai passé un entretien.

Why it fails: While ‘faire’ is common in English, French requires ‘passer’ for formal examinations or interviews.

❌ Pitfall 2: Grammatical Trap (Click to Reveal)

• Incorrect: L’entretien a été passé bien.
• Correct: L’entretien s’est bien passé.

Why it fails: The passive voice is incorrect here; the reflexive ‘se passer’ is the mandatory structure for describing how an event unfolded.