Present Tense in French (ER, IR, RE Verbs) with Exceptions
The present tense in French, called “le présent,” is used to describe actions happening now or general truths. Regular verbs in French can be grouped into three categories based on their endings: *ER, **IR, and *RE. Each group follows a specific conjugation pattern in the present tense. Let’s explore how to conjugate these verbs and review some common exceptions.
1. Regular ER Verbs
ER verbs make up the largest group of French verbs. To conjugate them in the present tense, follow this two-step process:
- Remove the “ER” ending from the infinitive form (for example, “parler” becomes “parl”).
- Add the appropriate endings for each subject pronoun:
Conjugation Endings for ER Verbs:
- je: -e
- tu: -es
- il/elle/on: -e
- nous: -ons
- vous: -ez
- ils/elles: -ent
Example Verb: Parler (to speak)
- je parle (I speak)
- tu parles (you speak)
- il/elle/on parle (he/she/one speaks)
- nous parlons (we speak)
- vous parlez (you speak)
- ils/elles parlent (they speak)
Common ER verbs include:
- aimer (to like)
- écouter (to listen)
- travailler (to work)
- visiter ( to visit )
- regarder ( to watch)
- chanter(to sing)
2. Regular IR Verbs
Regular IR verbs have their own set of endings. To conjugate IR verbs:
- Remove the “R” ending from the infinitive (for example, “finir” becomes “fini”).
- Add the appropriate endings for each subject pronoun.
Conjugation Endings for IR Verbs:
- je: -s
- tu: -s
- il/elle/on: -t
- nous: -ssons
- vous: -ssez
- ils/elles: -ssent
Example Verb: Finir (to finish)
- je finis (I finish)
- tu finis (you finish)
- il/elle/on finit (he/she/one finishes)
- nous finissons (we finish)
- vous finissez (you finish)
- ils/elles finissent (they finish)
Common IR verbs include:
- choisir (to choose)
- réussir (to succeed)
- grandir (to grow)
3. Regular RE Verbs
For RE verbs, conjugation follows a similar structure. Here’s how to conjugate them:
- Remove the “RE” ending from the infinitive (for example, “vendre” becomes “vend”).
- Add the appropriate endings for each subject pronoun.
Conjugation Endings for RE Verbs:
- je: -s
- tu: -s
- il/elle/on: (nothing, just the root)
- nous: -ons
- vous: -ez
- ils/elles: -ent
Example Verb: Vendre (to sell)
- je vends (I sell)
- tu vends (you sell)
- il/elle/on vend (he/she/one sells)
- nous vendons (we sell)
- vous vendez (you sell)
- ils/elles vendent (they sell)
Common RE verbs include:
- attendre (to wait)
- perdre (to lose)
- descendre (to go down)
4. Stem-Changing Verbs
Some ER verbs experience a change in the stem for certain pronouns. These stem-changing verbs are common but tricky.
Acheter (to buy) – The “e” becomes “è” in some forms.
- je achète (I buy)
- tu achètes (you buy)
- il/elle/on achète (he/she/one buys)
- nous achetons (we buy)
- vous achetez (you buy)
- ils/elles achètent (they buy)
Préférer (to prefer) – The second “é” changes to “è” in some forms.
- je préfère (I prefer)
- tu préfères (you prefer)
- il/elle/on préfère (he/she/one prefers)
- nous préférons (we prefer)
- vous préférez (you prefer)
- ils/elles préfèrent (they prefer)
6. Verbs Ending in -GER and -CER
Verbs ending in -ger and -cer have slight spelling changes in the nous form to maintain pronunciation.
Manger (to eat) – An extra “e” is added after the “g” in the nous form.
- je mange (I eat)
- tu manges (you eat)
- il/elle/on mange (he/she/one eats)
- nous mangeons (we eat)
- vous mangez (you eat)
- ils/elles mangent (they eat)
Commencer (to begin) – The “c” changes to “ç” in the nous form.
- je commence (I begin)
- tu commences (you begin)
- il/elle/on commence (he/she/one begins)
- nous commençons (we begin)
- vous commencez (you begin)
- ils/elles commencent (they begin)
Conclusion
Conjugating verbs in the present tense in French is essential for everyday communication. Regular *ER, **IR, and *RE verbs follow specific patterns, but there are many irregular verbs and exceptions that you need to memorize. With practice and mastery of these rules, you’ll be able to confidently describe actions happening now and express general truths in French.