A1 French GrammarPresent Tense
Conjugate French verbs in the present tense across the three main verb groups (-er, -ir, -re) and common irregular verbs.
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1-ER Verbs (First Group)
The largest group of French verbs. Remove -er and add personal endings: -e, -es, -e, -ons, -ez, -ent.
Parler (to speak)
| Person | French | English |
|---|---|---|
| je | parle | I speak |
| tu | parles | you speak |
| il/elle | parle | he/she speaks |
| nous | parlons | we speak |
| vous | parlez | you speak |
| ils/elles | parlent | they speak |
Examples
Je parle français.
I speak French.
parler → parle
Tu habites où?
Where do you live?
habiter → habites
Nous aimons la musique.
We like music.
aimer → aimons
Ils travaillent beaucoup.
They work a lot.
travailler → travaillent
2-IR Verbs (Second Group)
Regular -ir verbs add -iss- in plural forms. Endings are: -is, -is, -it, -issons, -issez, -issent.
Finir (to finish)
| Person | French | English |
|---|---|---|
| je | finis | I finish |
| tu | finis | you finish |
| il/elle | finit | he/she finishes |
| nous | finissons | we finish |
| vous | finissez | you finish |
| ils/elles | finissent | they finish |
Examples
Je finis mon travail.
I finish my work.
finir → finis
Elle choisit un livre.
She chooses a book.
choisir → choisit
Nous réussissons toujours.
We always succeed.
réussir → réussissons
Ils remplissent le formulaire.
They fill out the form.
remplir → remplissent
3-RE Verbs (Third Group)
Remove -re and add: -s, -s, (nothing), -ons, -ez, -ent. The third person singular has no ending.
Attendre (to wait)
| Person | French | English |
|---|---|---|
| je | attends | I wait |
| tu | attends | you wait |
| il/elle | attend | he/she waits |
| nous | attendons | we wait |
| vous | attendez | you wait |
| ils/elles | attendent | they wait |
Examples
J'attends le bus.
I'm waiting for the bus.
attendre → attends
Il vend sa voiture.
He's selling his car.
vendre → vend
Nous entendons la musique.
We hear the music.
entendre → entendons
Elles répondent vite.
They answer quickly.
répondre → répondent
4Common Irregular Verbs
Essential irregular verbs: être (to be), avoir (to have), aller (to go), faire (to do/make).
Être and Avoir
| Person | Être (to be) | Avoir (to have) |
|---|---|---|
| je | suis | ai |
| tu | es | as |
| il/elle | est | a |
| nous | sommes | avons |
| vous | êtes | avez |
| ils/elles | sont | ont |
Examples
Je suis étudiant.
I am a student.
être → suis
Tu as faim?
Are you hungry?
avoir → as
Nous allons au cinéma.
We're going to the cinema.
aller → allons
Ils font du sport.
They do sports.
faire → font
Practice Exercises
3 exercises
Complete: 'Nous ___ au guichet.' (We go to the ticket office.)
Complete: 'Anna ___ un pain frais.' (Anna chooses a fresh loaf of bread.)
Complete: 'Je ___ fatigué.' (I am tired.)
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