Understanding French Regular Verb Conjugation
French regular verbs follow predictable patterns based on their infinitive endings. There are three main groups of regular verbs in French:
-ER verbs (First Group) - Most common (90% of French verbs)
-IR verbs (Second Group) - Regular -ir verbs with -iss- stem extension
-RE verbs (Third Group) - Regular -re verbs
Each group has specific conjugation patterns that remain consistent across all verbs in that group. Mastering these patterns is essential for French communication.
Examples
parler (to speak) → je parle (I speak)
-ER verb example
finir (to finish) → je finis (I finish)
-IR verb example
vendre (to sell) → je vends (I sell)
-RE verb example
-ER Verbs (First Group)
-ER verbs are the most common in French. To conjugate them, remove the -er ending and add the appropriate endings:
PARLER (to speak) - Present Tense
| Pronoun | Conjugation | English |
|---|---|---|
| je | parle | I speak |
| tu | parles | you speak (informal) |
| il/elle/on | parle | he/she/one speaks |
| nous | parlons | we speak |
| vous | parlez | you speak (formal/plural) |
| ils/elles | parlent | they speak |
-ER Verb Endings
Standard endings for all regular -ER verbs:
je → -e, tu → -es, il/elle/on → -e
nous → -ons, vous → -ez, ils/elles → -ent
Common -ER Verbs
Frequently used regular -ER verbs:
Common -ER Verbs
| Pronoun | Conjugation | English |
|---|---|---|
| aimer | to love/like | j'aime, tu aimes, il aime... |
| regarder | to watch | je regarde, tu regardes, il regarde... |
| écouter | to listen | j'écoute, tu écoutes, il écoute... |
| travailler | to work | je travaille, tu travailles, il travaille... |
| habiter | to live | j'habite, tu habites, il habite... |
| étudier | to study | j'étudie, tu étudies, il étudie... |
-IR Verbs (Second Group)
Regular -IR verbs add -iss- to the stem in plural forms. Remove -ir and add the appropriate endings:
FINIR (to finish) - Present Tense
| Pronoun | Conjugation | English |
|---|---|---|
| je | finis | I finish |
| tu | finis | you finish (informal) |
| il/elle/on | finit | he/she/one finishes |
| nous | finissons | we finish |
| vous | finissez | you finish (formal/plural) |
| ils/elles | finissent | they finish |
-IR Verb Pattern
Notice the -iss- extension in plural forms:
Singular: je finis, tu finis, il finit
Plural: nous finissons, vous finissez, ils finissent
Common -IR Verbs (Regular)
Regular -IR verbs with -iss- pattern:
Common Regular -IR Verbs
| Pronoun | Conjugation | English |
|---|---|---|
| choisir | to choose | je choisis, nous choisissons |
| réussir | to succeed | je réussis, nous réussissons |
| grandir | to grow | je grandis, nous grandissons |
| rougir | to blush | je rougis, nous rougissons |
| obéir | to obey | j'obéis, nous obéissons |
| réfléchir | to think | je réfléchis, nous réfléchissons |
-RE Verbs (Third Group)
Regular -RE verbs drop the final -e in the third person singular. Remove -re and add the appropriate endings:
VENDRE (to sell) - Present Tense
| Pronoun | Conjugation | English |
|---|---|---|
| je | vends | I sell |
| tu | vends | you sell (informal) |
| il/elle/on | vend | he/she/one sells |
| nous | vendons | we sell |
| vous | vendez | you sell (formal/plural) |
| ils/elles | vendent | they sell |
-RE Verb Endings
Standard endings for regular -RE verbs:
je → -s, tu → -s, il/elle/on → (no ending)
nous → -ons, vous → -ez, ils/elles → -ent
Common -RE Verbs
Frequently used regular -RE verbs:
Common -RE Verbs
| Pronoun | Conjugation | English |
|---|---|---|
| attendre | to wait | j'attends, tu attends, il attend... |
| entendre | to hear | j'entends, tu entends, il entend... |
| perdre | to lose | je perds, tu perds, il perd... |
| répondre | to answer | je réponds, tu réponds, il répond... |
| descendre | to go down | je descends, tu descends, il descend... |
| rendre | to return | je rends, tu rends, il rend... |
Conjugation Steps
Follow these systematic steps to conjugate any regular French verb:
Step-by-Step Process
Universal conjugation method:
1. Identify the verb group (-er, -ir, or -re)
2. Remove the infinitive ending
3. Add the appropriate ending for the subject
4. Check for any spelling changes or irregularities
Practice Example: DANSER (to dance)
Applying the conjugation steps:
1. DANSER is an -ER verb (First Group)
2. Remove -ER: DANS-
3. Add endings: je danse, tu danses, il danse
4. Complete: nous dansons, vous dansez, ils dansent
Pronunciation Patterns
Understanding pronunciation helps with conjugation:
Silent Endings
Many conjugated forms sound the same:
-ER verbs: je parle, tu parles, il parle, ils parlent
All pronounced the same: [parl]
Liaison and Pronunciation
Connecting sounds in speech:
ils aiment [il-z-aiment] - liaison with -s
nous aimons [nou-z-aimons] - liaison with -s
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Here are frequent errors students make with regular verb conjugation:
1. Mixing up verb groups: Confusing -IR patterns
2. Forgetting -iss- extension: In regular -IR verbs (plural forms)
3. Adding extra letters: In -RE verbs (third person singular)
4. Wrong endings: Mixing up subject pronouns
Examples
❌ je finis, nous finons → ✅ je finis, nous finissons
Wrong: forgot -iss- extension in plural
❌ il vendes → ✅ il vend
Wrong: -RE verbs have no ending in 3rd person singular
❌ vous parles → ✅ vous parlez
Wrong: vous always takes -ez ending
❌ ils parlons → ✅ ils parlent
Wrong: ils/elles take -ent ending