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What happens if you are in the past tense and using the verb "être"?

I'm new to this so I'm not even sure if this sentence would make sense.

Cette ville n'a pas été été célèbre avant que les explorateurs anglais l'ont trouvée.

"été été" looks wrong. Is it correct?

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1 Answer 1

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Être has no passive form… in French as well as in English. “To be been (by something)” doesn't make sense.

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  • And what about avoire, please? Feb 10, 2014 at 18:13
  • 'This cake is to be had by someone who has mastered French' Feb 10, 2014 at 18:38
  • Ah, indeed, for a couple of different meanings it's possible in English, but these meanings do not fall under the scope of the French's avoir. Feb 10, 2014 at 18:50
  • Okay, so you can have the cake now :-D Feb 10, 2014 at 18:52

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