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What are the rules for conjugating regular -er, -ir, and -re verbs in the present tense?

How to Conjugate Regular French Verbs in the Present Tense

In French, regular verbs fall into three groups based on their endings: -er, -ir, and -re. Each of these groups has its own way of changing the verb when you talk about the present. Knowing these rules is important for understanding French better.

1. How to Conjugate Regular -ER Verbs

How It Works: To change regular -er verbs in the present tense, drop the -er ending and add new endings. Here’s what you add:

  • 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, male/female): -ent

Example with the verb "aimer" (to love):

  • Je aime
  • Tu aimes
  • Il/Elle/On aime
  • Nous aimons
  • Vous aimez
  • Ils/Elles aiment

2. How to Conjugate Regular -IR Verbs

How It Works: For regular -ir verbs, remove the -ir ending and add 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
  • Tu finis
  • Il/Elle/On finit
  • Nous finissons
  • Vous finissez
  • Ils/Elles finissent

3. How to Conjugate Regular -RE Verbs

How It Works: For regular -re verbs, drop the -re and add these endings:

  • Je: -s
  • Tu: -s
  • Il/Elle/On: nothing (keep the root form)
  • Nous: -ons
  • Vous: -ez
  • Ils/Elles: -ent

Example with the verb "vendre" (to sell):

  • Je vends
  • Tu vends
  • Il/Elle/On vend
  • Nous vendons
  • Vous vendez
  • Ils/Elles vendent

4. Irregular Verbs

Some common verbs don't follow these patterns. Here are a few that are different:

  • Être (to be)
  • Avoir (to have)
  • Aller (to go)
  • Faire (to do/make)

Example: Être:

  • Je suis
  • Tu es
  • Il/Elle/On est
  • Nous sommes
  • Vous êtes
  • Ils/Elles sont

5. Important Grammar Points About Conjugation

a. Articles

  • Definite articles: le, la, les (the)
  • Indefinite articles: un, une, des (a, an, some)

b. Adjective Agreement

Adjectives (describing words) must match the gender and number of the nouns (naming words) they describe. For example:

  • Un chat noir (a black cat - masculine)
  • Une chienne noire (a black dog - feminine)

c. Negative Sentences

To say something is not true, use "ne... pas."

  • Example: Je n'aime pas les épinards. (I do not like spinach.)

d. Question Words

Learn these question words:

  • Qui (who), que (what), où (where), quand (when), comment (how), pourquoi (why).

e. Past and Future Actions

For saying what happened in the past or what you will do soon, use:

  • Passé composé: (ex. J'ai mangé - I ate)
  • Future proche: (ex. Je vais manger - I am going to eat)

f. Pronouns and Connectors

Knowing how to use pronouns (he, she, them) and connectors (and, but, or, so) can make your sentences smoother and more interesting.

By mastering these conjugation rules and grammar points, you'll build a strong base for your French language skills. Keep practicing with different verbs to help you learn!

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What are the rules for conjugating regular -er, -ir, and -re verbs in the present tense?

How to Conjugate Regular French Verbs in the Present Tense

In French, regular verbs fall into three groups based on their endings: -er, -ir, and -re. Each of these groups has its own way of changing the verb when you talk about the present. Knowing these rules is important for understanding French better.

1. How to Conjugate Regular -ER Verbs

How It Works: To change regular -er verbs in the present tense, drop the -er ending and add new endings. Here’s what you add:

  • 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, male/female): -ent

Example with the verb "aimer" (to love):

  • Je aime
  • Tu aimes
  • Il/Elle/On aime
  • Nous aimons
  • Vous aimez
  • Ils/Elles aiment

2. How to Conjugate Regular -IR Verbs

How It Works: For regular -ir verbs, remove the -ir ending and add 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
  • Tu finis
  • Il/Elle/On finit
  • Nous finissons
  • Vous finissez
  • Ils/Elles finissent

3. How to Conjugate Regular -RE Verbs

How It Works: For regular -re verbs, drop the -re and add these endings:

  • Je: -s
  • Tu: -s
  • Il/Elle/On: nothing (keep the root form)
  • Nous: -ons
  • Vous: -ez
  • Ils/Elles: -ent

Example with the verb "vendre" (to sell):

  • Je vends
  • Tu vends
  • Il/Elle/On vend
  • Nous vendons
  • Vous vendez
  • Ils/Elles vendent

4. Irregular Verbs

Some common verbs don't follow these patterns. Here are a few that are different:

  • Être (to be)
  • Avoir (to have)
  • Aller (to go)
  • Faire (to do/make)

Example: Être:

  • Je suis
  • Tu es
  • Il/Elle/On est
  • Nous sommes
  • Vous êtes
  • Ils/Elles sont

5. Important Grammar Points About Conjugation

a. Articles

  • Definite articles: le, la, les (the)
  • Indefinite articles: un, une, des (a, an, some)

b. Adjective Agreement

Adjectives (describing words) must match the gender and number of the nouns (naming words) they describe. For example:

  • Un chat noir (a black cat - masculine)
  • Une chienne noire (a black dog - feminine)

c. Negative Sentences

To say something is not true, use "ne... pas."

  • Example: Je n'aime pas les épinards. (I do not like spinach.)

d. Question Words

Learn these question words:

  • Qui (who), que (what), où (where), quand (when), comment (how), pourquoi (why).

e. Past and Future Actions

For saying what happened in the past or what you will do soon, use:

  • Passé composé: (ex. J'ai mangé - I ate)
  • Future proche: (ex. Je vais manger - I am going to eat)

f. Pronouns and Connectors

Knowing how to use pronouns (he, she, them) and connectors (and, but, or, so) can make your sentences smoother and more interesting.

By mastering these conjugation rules and grammar points, you'll build a strong base for your French language skills. Keep practicing with different verbs to help you learn!

Related articles