How to Conjugate Verbs About Daily Activities in the Present Tense

In this article, we will learn how to change verbs about daily routines and activities into the present tense in French. Knowing these verbs will help you talk about your everyday life in French!

1. Understanding Regular Verbs

French verbs are split into three groups based on their endings: -er, -ir, and -re. Most daily activities use -er verbs, so let's start with those.

A. Conjugating -ER Verbs

To change -ER verbs into the present tense, you can use this formula:

Take off the -er ending and add these endings:

• Je (I) → -e
• Tu (you, informal) → -es
• Il/Elle/On (he/she/one) → -e
• Nous (we) → -ons
• Vous (you, formal/plural) → -ez
• Ils/Elles (they) → -ent

Examples of -ER Verbs

1. se réveiller (to wake up)

   • Je me réveille (I wake up)
   • Tu te réveilles (You wake up)
   • Il/Elle/On se réveille (He/She/One wakes up)
   • Nous nous réveillons (We wake up)
   • Vous vous réveillez (You wake up)
   • Ils/Elles se réveillent (They wake up)

2. manger (to eat)

   • 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)

Sample Sentences:

• Je me réveille à six heures. (I wake up at six.)
• Nous mangeons le petit déjeuner ensemble. (We eat breakfast together.)

2. Understanding Irregular Verbs

While many daily activities use -ER verbs, there are some important irregular verbs to know too.

A. Present Tense of Common Irregular Verbs

1. être (to be)

   • Je suis (I am)
   • Tu es (You are)
   • Il/Elle/On est (He/She/One is)
   • Nous sommes (We are)
   • Vous êtes (You are)
   • Ils/Elles sont (They are)

2. aller (to go)

   • Je vais (I go)
   • Tu vas (You go)
   • Il/Elle/On va (He/She/One goes)
   • Nous allons (We go)
   • Vous allez (You go)
   • Ils/Elles vont (They go)

Sample Sentences:

• Je suis fatigué. (I am tired.)
• Ils vont à l'école. (They go to school.)

3. Common Daily Activities Vocabulary

Here are some helpful verbs you can use for daily routines:

• se brosser les dents (to brush teeth)
• se laver (to wash oneself)
• s'habiller (to get dressed)
• aller au travail (to go to work)
• faire les devoirs (to do homework)
• regarder la télé (to watch TV)

4. Using the Verbs in Context

When you talk about your daily routine, you can set up your sentences like this:

Subject + verb + complement.

Example:

• Je me lève à sept heures. (I get up at seven.)
• Nous faisons les devoirs après l'école. (We do homework after school.)

Conclusion

Now you know how to change verbs about daily activities into the present tense in French! Practice using these verbs to make sentences about your everyday life. Knowing these verbs will help you speak more comfortably and confidently in French. Bonne chance! (Good luck!)