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How do you conjugate regular -er, -ir, and -re verbs in the present tense?

How to Conjugate Regular French Verbs in the Present Tense

In this post, we’ll learn how to change regular French verbs into the present tense. We will look closely at three types of verbs: -er, -ir, and -re. Knowing how to conjugate these verbs is important for making sentences and chatting in French.

Conjugating Regular French Verbs

1. -er Verbs

For regular -er verbs, the endings change depending on who is doing the action. Here’s how it looks:

  • Je (I) → -e
  • Tu (You, informal) → -es
  • Il/Elle/On (He/She/One) → -e
  • Nous (We) → -ons
  • Vous (You, formal or plural) → -ez
  • Ils/Elles (They) → -ent

Example with the verb Parler (to speak):

  • Je parle (I speak)
  • Tu parles (You speak)
  • Ils parlent (They speak)

2. -ir Verbs

For regular -ir verbs, we use these endings:

  • Je → -is
  • Tu → -is
  • Il/Elle/On → -it
  • Nous → -issons
  • Vous → -issez
  • Ils/Elles → -issent

Example with the verb Finir (to finish):

  • Je finis (I finish)
  • Tu finis (You finish)
  • Elles finissent (They finish)

3. -re Verbs

For regular -re verbs, the endings are:

  • Je → -s
  • Tu → -s
  • Il/Elle/On → (nothing)
  • Nous → -ons
  • Vous → -ez
  • Ils/Elles → -ent

Example with the verb Vendre (to sell):

  • Je vends (I sell)
  • Tu vends (You sell)
  • Ils vendent (They sell)

Important Grammar Tips

Using Avoir and Être

When we use compound tenses (like the past tense), we use the helper verbs avoir (to have) and être (to be). Most verbs use avoir, but verbs that show movement or are reflexive (where the subject does something to itself) use être.

Matching Adjectives

Adjectives (words that describe nouns) need to match the noun they describe. For example:

  • "un chat noir" (a black cat - masculine)
  • "une chatte noire" (a black cat - feminine)

Making Negative Sentences

To say something negative, use ne...pas. For example:

  • Je ne parle pas (I do not speak).

Asking Questions

You can ask questions by switching the subject and verb or by using voice change. Here are two ways to ask if someone speaks French:

  • Switch: Parles-tu français? (Do you speak French?)
  • Voice change: Tu parles français?

Conclusion

By practicing these verb endings and grammar rules, you’ll be able to speak French better. Make sure to practice regularly to improve your skills!

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How do you conjugate regular -er, -ir, and -re verbs in the present tense?

How to Conjugate Regular French Verbs in the Present Tense

In this post, we’ll learn how to change regular French verbs into the present tense. We will look closely at three types of verbs: -er, -ir, and -re. Knowing how to conjugate these verbs is important for making sentences and chatting in French.

Conjugating Regular French Verbs

1. -er Verbs

For regular -er verbs, the endings change depending on who is doing the action. Here’s how it looks:

  • Je (I) → -e
  • Tu (You, informal) → -es
  • Il/Elle/On (He/She/One) → -e
  • Nous (We) → -ons
  • Vous (You, formal or plural) → -ez
  • Ils/Elles (They) → -ent

Example with the verb Parler (to speak):

  • Je parle (I speak)
  • Tu parles (You speak)
  • Ils parlent (They speak)

2. -ir Verbs

For regular -ir verbs, we use these endings:

  • Je → -is
  • Tu → -is
  • Il/Elle/On → -it
  • Nous → -issons
  • Vous → -issez
  • Ils/Elles → -issent

Example with the verb Finir (to finish):

  • Je finis (I finish)
  • Tu finis (You finish)
  • Elles finissent (They finish)

3. -re Verbs

For regular -re verbs, the endings are:

  • Je → -s
  • Tu → -s
  • Il/Elle/On → (nothing)
  • Nous → -ons
  • Vous → -ez
  • Ils/Elles → -ent

Example with the verb Vendre (to sell):

  • Je vends (I sell)
  • Tu vends (You sell)
  • Ils vendent (They sell)

Important Grammar Tips

Using Avoir and Être

When we use compound tenses (like the past tense), we use the helper verbs avoir (to have) and être (to be). Most verbs use avoir, but verbs that show movement or are reflexive (where the subject does something to itself) use être.

Matching Adjectives

Adjectives (words that describe nouns) need to match the noun they describe. For example:

  • "un chat noir" (a black cat - masculine)
  • "une chatte noire" (a black cat - feminine)

Making Negative Sentences

To say something negative, use ne...pas. For example:

  • Je ne parle pas (I do not speak).

Asking Questions

You can ask questions by switching the subject and verb or by using voice change. Here are two ways to ask if someone speaks French:

  • Switch: Parles-tu français? (Do you speak French?)
  • Voice change: Tu parles français?

Conclusion

By practicing these verb endings and grammar rules, you’ll be able to speak French better. Make sure to practice regularly to improve your skills!

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