BASIC FRENCH COURSE FIFTH SESSION
CONJUGATION OF FRENCH VERBS
CONJUGATION OF VERBS OF THE FIRST GROUP - SIMPLE PRESENT
I am going to take up the following verb to teach you the rule. Where certain verbs deviate from the general rule , I shall point out. In French , for every rule , there will be exceptions. You can never say you are 100% correct. Don't worry. If you some mistakes while learning, heavens will not fall!.
PARLER- To speak
1. Remove the ending -ER from the infinitive form
2. You get the stem - PARL
3. Add the following endings to the stem. E, ES, E, ONS , EZ, ENT
Je parlE
Tu parlES
Il /Elle/on parlE
Nous parlONS
Vous parl EZ
Ils / Elles parl ENT
The above conjugation would mean
I speak
You speak
He /she / one speaks
We speak
You speak
They speak
The first three conjugations are for the singular first, second and third person. The rest are for plural.
Now you can conjugate the following verbs using this rule.
Regarder, écouter ,apporter,arriver ,cacher,chercher,commander,comparer,continuer, coûter ,demander,détester ,donner,employer,expliquer ,féliciter,fermer,gagner,garder,goûter,habiter,hésiter,inviter,jouer,laisser,louer,manquer,oublier,participer,passer,penser,préparer ,prêter ,prier,proposer,quitter,rembourser ,remercier,ressembler,souhaiter,travailler,trouver, voler,aider,aimer, ajouter,bavarder,briller,casser,compter,couper,crier,danser,déjeuner ,dessiner dîner,échouer ,embrasser,enseigner,entourer ,entrer,épouser,étudier ,frapper,fumer,gâter,gronder,ignorer,laver,marcher,monter,montrer,nommer,pardonner,peigner,pleurer,porter,poser, pousser
Why do I give the above list ?
Anyone preparing for or intending to attain A1 proficiency level should know the above verbs. Kindly make efforts to learn the meaning and use of the above verbs. Their conjugation follows the rule explained above.
In the next note, we shall study the conjugation of some first group verbs which slightly violate the rule. Ok ?
USE OF PRESENT TENSE IN THE INDICATIVE MOOD
Before proceeding further with more verbs of the first group, let me give a note on the use of present tense in the indicative mood. Most often we use the present tense. Hence it is imperative that we grasp its nuances.
1. Present tense tells us what is happening in the present moment. In English we have the present continuous or progressive tense which is not there in French . Study the following examples.
Je regarde la télé .
I am watching tv.
Je lis un roman.
I am reading a novel.
Maman fait la cuisine.
Mother is cooking.
Elle prend du petit déjeuner .
She is having breakfast .
Hope you understand.
To emphasise that an action is going on at this moment, you can use the expression,
" être en train de faire quelque chose "
" to be on the point of doing something "
Je suis en train de préparer une leçon .
I am on the point of preparing a lesson.
Remember the above English version does not sound good . Simply use the English continuous tense.
I am preparing a lesson.
2. HABITUAL /ROUTINE ACTIONS
Normally in any language , to express habitual actions we use the present tense. French is no exception.
Le dimanche , je vais au cinéma .
I go to cinema on Sundays.
Note the use of " le dimanche " . When you are habitually doing something on a day, use ," le dimanche, le lundi , le mardi and so on.
The above sentence means that every Sunday you are in the habit of going to cinema.
Hope you got the point.
Je ne fume jamais .
I never smoke.
That means, you don't have the habit of smoking.
À Bangalore , il fait beau toute l'année .
In Bangalore, the weather is fine throughout the year.
Je me réveille à six heures du matin.
I wake up at six o' clock in the morning.
That means everyday you wake up at six, as a habit.
3. EXPRESSING FUTURE BY USING PRESENT
This happens in many language. For example , in English we say,
John, tomorrow , I am coming to your place.
Kids , I am promising you a treat next week , if you get good grades.
Similar use is permitted in French .
Demain, mon père vient de Delhi.
Tomorrow, my father comes from Delhi.
En été , nous allons à Ooty.
We are going to Ooty in summer.
4. HISTORIC PRESENT
For a lively presentation of historical narrative, the present tense is used.
Le père d' Alexandre Dumas meurt alors qu'il n'a que quatre ans. La famille Dumas est assez pauvre. Alexandre arrête tôt ses études pour gagner de l'argent . À vingt ans, il va à Paris et trouve du travail .
En 1589, Henri IV, le père de Louis XIII, devient roi avec l'aide des nobles de Gascogne.
Note that all the verbs in the above narration are in the present tense.
5. UNIVERSAL /SCIENTIFIC TRUTHS
All truths supposed to be universal and scientific truths are normally expressed in the present tense.
L' homme est mortel.
Man is mortal.
Le serpent est venimeux .
Snakes are poisonous .
La terre tourne autour du soleil.
Earth revolves around the sun.
Hope I made my point clear.
MORE FIRST GROUP VERBS
We have to pay attention to some verbs of the first group whose conjugation , though follows the general rule with regard to endings, show some variation either in spelling or accents. I shall indicate both the infinitive and conjugation in the present of such of those verbs.
1. Acheter - to buy
J'achète
Tu achètes
Il / elle/ on achète
Nous achetons
Vous achetez
Ils/elles achètent
In what way the conjugation deviates from the rule enunciated in the French Note 19?
Observe the accent of " e" which occurs first in the conjugation except those of first/second person plural. There is grave accent over the first " e" in all the conjugations. You have to remember it.
2. Appeler-to call
J'appelle
Tu appelles
Il/elle/on appelle
Nous appelons
Vous appelez
Ils/elles appellent
Note the doubling of the consonant " l" in respect of all conjugations except in the case of first/ second person plural.
The following verbs are conjugated like " appeler"
S'appeler, rappeler, se rappeler, renouveler
3. Manger- to eat
Je mange
Tu manges
Il/elle/on mange
Nous mangeons
Vous mangez
Ils/elles mangent
Note thé conjugation for " nous" . After " g" an " e" is inserted. Why ? Suppose , that " e" we're not there , then the " g" would acquire a hard sound. But we need a soft sound. So an " e" is inserted. Hope you got the point . Therefore the " g" in mangeons as well as mangez will be pronounced in the same way.
The following verbs are conjugated like " manger"
Arranger, bouger,changer, charger, se charger,corriger,décourager,dégager,déranger,diriger,se diriger,encourager,s'engager,interroger,juger,loger,nager,négliger,neiger,obliger,plonger,ronger,songer, venger,se venger, voyager.
These are all very common verbs. Even at A1level you should know all these verbs. Please refer to a good dictionary and learn their meanings. Please practise the conjugations orally as well as in writing.
4. Commencer - to begin
Je commence
Tu commences
Il/elle/on commence
Nous commençons
Vous commencez
Ils/elles commencent
Just note " Ç " in " commençons " . Guess the reason. If you don't put the cedilla sign, it will make the " c" hard like "k" sound.
The following verbs are conjugated like " commencer"
Annoncer,avancer,déplacer, se déplacer,s'élancer,enfoncer,exercer,forcer,lancer,menacer,
Placer, prononcer,recommencer,renoncer
5.crier -to scream
Je crie
Tu cries
Il/Elle/on crie
Nous crions
Vous criez
Ils/elles crient
Surely this verb follows the general rule. The stem will be " cri" . But the Larousse Grammar which I follow classifies this under a special grouping. May be this group consists of verbs ending in - ier . The following verbs are similar to " crier" as far as the termination is concerned.
Apprécier,confier,s'écrier ,étudier ,justifier ,lier,oublier,photographier,plier,prier,publier,réfugier.
Remercier,signifier
6.ennuyer -to bore
J'ennuie
Tu ennuies
Il/elle/on ennuie
Nous ennuyons
Vous ennuyez
Ils/elles ennuient
In the above conjugations , the stem is " ennu" for all except for the first/second person plural for which the stem would be " ennuy" . Kindly note. The following verbs are conjugated in a similar manner.
Appuyer,s'ennuyer,nettoyer,se noyer,essuyer
7. Essayer-to try
J'essaye
J'essaie
Tu essayes
Tu essaies
Il/elle/on essaye
Il/elle/on essaie
Nous essayons
Vous essayez
Ils/elles essayent
Ils/elles essaient
Note the variations in spellings excepting for the first/second person plural. You have a choice between two .
S'effrayer,payer,balayer etc are conjugated like this.
8.lever - to raise
Je lève
Tu lèves
Il/elle/on lève
Nous levons
Vous levez
Ils/elles lèvent
Please note the grave accent over the first " e" in all the conjugations except the first/second person plural. The following verbs are conjugated in a like manner.
Se lever,élever,enlever,relever,soulever,amener,emmener,mener,se promener,ramener,crever,geler,peser....
9.jeter -to throw
Je jette
Tu jettes
Il/elle/on jette
Nous jetons
Vous jetez
Ils/elles jettent
Please note the doubling of the consonant " t" in all cases except those of first/second person plural.
Rejeter, projeter,etc are conjugated in a like manner.
10.espérer - to hope
J'espère
Tu espères
Il/elle/on espère
Nous espérons
Vous espérez
Ils / elles espèrent
Note the accents of the second " e" carefully. Grave accent in four cases. Acute accent in two cases. The following verbs are conjugated in a like manner.
Céder ,opérer,posséder,préférer,protéger ,régler,régner,répéter,révéler,sécher,succéder etc
With this I complete the conjugation of first group of verbs in the present tense in the indicative mood. Next I shall take up the second group verbs.
FRERNCH NOTE 22
As promised, now I shall take up second group of verbs. Remember , the first and second group of verbs are called regular verbs because they follow certain rules in their conjugation. I shall further remind you that we are dealing with verbs in indicative mood in the present tense. Don't forget there are in all twenty tenses and six moods. So it is somewhat like a very long tv serial. While the former is entertaining , this will strain you a little. Don't they say , " No pains , no gains " .? I don't believe in learning by fun or amusement . Learning is hard work . Yes you have to slog.
Second group - I R verbs
The infinitive of these verbs end in IR. First they teach you the conjugation of " FINIR " .
Let me state the rule,
1. Remove the ending IR and get the stem.
2. To the stem add the following to get the respective conjugations.
IS, IS, IT, ISSONS, ISSEZ,ISSENT
Finir-to finish
The Stem will be fin
So following will be the conjugation.
Je finis- I finish or I am finishing
Tu finis
Il/elle/on finit
Nous finissons
Vous finissez
Ils/elles finissent
Further , don't think any verb ending in IR belongs to second group. For example ,
"Venir" is not a second group verb.
What are the other second group verbs ? Voici la liste
Accomplir,agir,avertir,choisir,établir,fournir,garnir,grandir,grossir,guérir,jouir,maigrir,
Munir,nourrir,obéir, punir,refraîchir,ralentir,réfléchir ,remplir,réunir,réussir ,rôtir,rougir,saisir,salir,
Subir,trahir
There are very many which I have not mentioned . As you progress in your French , you will learn them. Once you know generally the verbs of different groups, try to identify such verbs after reading a French text. You can take any text and try it. Remember using the language is as important as learning the rules of grammar. Mere learning the rules may bore you to the point that you may give up learning your French . So there should be a judicious mix of different types of activities .
Listen to French news from any of the available stations and as you listen jot down the verbs. Then identify their groups. Ok ?
That is all for now. We shall continue later.
THIRD GROUP OF VERBS - PRESENT INDICATIVE
I decided to resume the preparation of French Notes. I would like to deal with the third group of French verbs. In what way the third group of verbs are different from those of the first/second groups? Simple! The stem for conjugating the verbs are variable. In other words, these verbs are irregular while the first two groups of verbs are regular. When you know the rules of conjugation, you can conjugate any verb of the first two groups , with some slight variation in the first group. But not so in the case of third group . They are highly irregular. You have to learn their conjugations by heart. In this note, let us learn the conjugations of important third group verbs
The third group verbs generally have the following endings except " aller"
-IR, OIR,RE.
I am taking up in all 60 verbs of the third group. If you master them , you will be thorough with almost any other third third group verb for the reason certain verbs form their own sub - groups while conjugating . You should only know which verbs form such sub-groups . This knowledge , will be acquired by practice and also by referring to good dictionaries which guide you in conjugation .
Now let us learn the conjugation of the verbs in the indicative mood / present tense.
1.Aller- to go
Je vais
Tu vas
Il/elle/on va
Nous allons
Vous allez
Ils/elles vont
Note how irregular is this verb! This verb is ubiquitous in French . When you start your French they teach you, " comment allez-vous? , Comment ça va? Je vais bien etc.
The radical is not at all regular . So the verb is highly irregular . Don't say that this verb belongs to the first group by noting its endings.
Now let us take up the verbs ending in -IR.
2. Acquérir - to acquire
J'acquiers
Tu acquiers,
Il/elle/on acquiert
Nous acquérons
Vous acquérez
Ils/elles acquièrent
Note the grave accent in the first/second person plural.
"Conquérir " is conjugated similarly.
3. Bouillir - to boil
Je bous
Tu bous
Il/elle/on bout
Nous bouillons
Vous bouillez
Ils/elles bouillent
4.Courir - to run
Je cours
Tu cours
Il / elle/on court
Nous courons
Vous courez
Ils/elles courent
The verbs, " accourir,parcourir,secourir " are conjugated similarly.
5.Cueillir - to collect
Je cueille
Tu cueilles
Il /elle/on cueille
Nous cueillons
Vous cueillez
Ils/elles cueillent
Accueillir ,recueillir are conjugated similarly.
6.Dormir - to sleep
Je dors
Tu dors
Il/elle/on dort
Nous dormons
Vous dormez
Ils/elles dorment
S'endormir is conjugated similarly.
7. Fuir - to flee
Je fuis
Tu fuis
Il/elle/on fuit
Nous fuyons
Vous fuyez
Ils fuient
S'enfuir is conjugated similarly.
8. Haïr- to hate
Je hais
Tu hais
Il /elle/on hait
Nous haïssons
Vous haïssez
Ils/elles haïssent
9. Mentir - to lie
Je mens
Tu mens
Il/elle/on ment
Nous mentons
Vous mentez
Ils/elles mentent
Démentir is conjugated similarly.
10. Mourir - to die
Je meurs
Tu meurs
Il/elle/on meurt
Nous mourons
Vous mourez
Ils/elles meurent
11. Offrir - to offer
J'offre
Tu offres
Il/elle/on offre
Nous offrons
Vous offrez
Ils/elles offrent
Souffrir is conjugated similarly.
12. Ouvrir - to open
J'ouvre
Tu ouvres
Il/elle/on ouvre
Nous ouvrons
Vous ouvrez
Ils/elles ouvrent
Couvrir,découvrir are conjugated similarly.
13. Partir - to leave
Je pars
Tu pars
Il/Elle/on part
Nous partons
Vous partez
Ils/elles partent
Repartir is conjugated similarly.
14. Sentir - to smell
Je sens
Tu sens
Il/elle/on sent
Nous sentons
Vous sentez
Ils /elles sentent
Ressentir is conjugated similarly.
15. Servir- to serve
Je sers
Tu sers
Il/Elle/on sert
Nous servons
Vous servez
Ils/elles servent
Ressortir is conjugated similarly.
16. Tenir - to hold
Je tiens
Tu tiens
Il/elle/on tient
Nous tenons
Vous tenez
Ils/elles tiennent
Abstenir, contenir, détenir , entretenir , maintenir ,obtenir, retenir ,soutenir are conjugated similarly.
17. Venir - to come
Je viens
Tu viens
Il/elle/on vient
Nous venons
Vous venez
Ils/elles viennent
Convenir, devenir,parvenir,revenir, souvenir,prévenir , intervenir. Contrevenir are conjugated
similarly.
18. Vêtir - to dress
Je vêts
Tu vêts
Il/elle/on vêt
Nous vêtons
Vous vêtez
Ils/elles vêtent
Revêtir is conjugated similarly.
Now let us take the verbs with ending -OIR
19. S' asseoir - to be seated
Je m'assieds
Tu t'assieds
Il/elle/on s'assied
Nous nous asseyons
Vous vous asseyez
Ils/elles s'asseyent
Note that the above verb is in the pronomial form of which we shall speak letter.
20. Devoir - must
Je dois
Tu dois
Il/elle/on doit
Nous devons
Vous devez
Ils/ elles doivent
Later we shall study the use of the group of verbs , " devoir, pouvoir , falloir, valoir " .
For the time being , I have given only the conjugation .
21.falloir - to be necessary
Il faut
This verb is conjugated only in third person singular .
22.mouvoir - to move
Je meus
Tu meus
Il/Elle/on meut
Nous mouvons
Vous mouvez
Ils/elles m'ouvrent
Promouvoir , émouvoir are conjugated similarly.
23. Pleuvoir - to rain
Il pleut
For obvious reasons , this verb is conjugated only with " il ". It is an impersonal verb.
24. Pouvoir - can
Je peux
Tu peux
Il/elle/on peut
Nous pouvons
Vous pouvez
Ils/elles peuvent
26. Recevoir - to receive
Je reçois
Tu reçois
Il/elle/on recevoit
Nous recevons
Vous recevez
Ils/elles reçoivent
Concevoir, décevoir are conjugated similarly.
27. Savoir - to know
Je sais
Tu sais
Il /elle/on sait
Nous savons
Vous savez
Ils/elles savent
28. Valoir - to be worth
Je vaux
Tu vaux
Il/elle/on vaut
Nous valons
Vous valez
Ils/elles valent
29. Voir - to see
Je vois
Tu vois
Ils/elle/on voit
Nous voulons
Vous voulez
Ils/elles veulent
Revoir,prévoir are conjugated similarly .
30. Vouloir -to want
Je veux
Tu veux
Il/Elle /on veut
Nous voulons
Vous voulez
Ils/elles veulent
That is all for this note. In the next note, I shall take up verbs ending in -RE.
French Note 24
Verbs with endings -RE
31. Attendre - to wait for, expect
J'attends
Tu attends
Il/elle/on attend
Nous attendons
Vous attendez
Ils/elles attendent
Défendre , dépendre,dépendre ,descendre,entendre,s'étendre ,mordre,pendre,prétendre,rendre, répondre,tendre ,tordre,vendre are conjugated similarly. Note that a large number of verbs are conjugated like attendre. So please pay special attention .
32. Battre - to beat
Je bats
Tu bats
Il/elle/on bat
Nous battons
Vous battez
Ils/elles battent
Abattre, combattre are conjugated similarly.
33. Boire - to drink
Je bois
Tu bois
Il/elle/on boit
Nous buvons
Vous buvez
Ils/elles boivent
On 33. Conclure - to conclude
Je conclus
Tu conclus
Il/elle/on conclut
Nous concluons
Vous concluez
Ils/elles concluent
Occlure ,inclure exclure are conjugated similarly.
34. Conduire - to drive
Je conduis
Tu conduis
Il/elle/on conduit
Nous conduisons
Vous conduisez
Ils/elles conduisent
Construire,détruire, induire,instruire,introduire,luire,réduire,traduire are conjugated similarly.
35. Connaître -to know
Je connais
Tu connais
Il/elle/on connaît
Nous connaissons
Vous connaissez
Ils/elles connaissent
Apparaître, disparaître , paraître, réapparaître are conjugated similarly .
36. Coudre - to stitch
Je couds
Tu couds
Il/elle/on coud
Nous cousons
Vous cousez
Ils/elles cousent
37. Craindre - to fear
Je crains
Tu crains
Il /elle/on craint
Nous craignons
Vous craignez
Ils/elles craignent
Contraindre,plaindre are conjugated similarly.
38. Croire - to believe
Je crois
Tu crois
Il/elle/on croit
Nous croyons
Vous croyez
Ils/elles croient
39. Croître -to grow
Je croîs
Tu croîs
Il/elle/on croît
Nous croissons
Vous croissez
Ils/elles croissent
Please do not confuse the conjugation of " croire " with " croître" especially the singular forms.
40. Cuire - to cook
Je cuis
Tu cuis
Il/elle/on cuit
Nous cuisons
Vous cuisez
Ils/elles cuisent
41. Dire - to say
Je dis
Tu dis
Il / elle / on dit
Nous disons
Vous dites
Ils/elles disent
Please be careful while conjugating for " vous". One is likely to commit mistake. Hence a favorite question in basic French exams. Really a good irregular verb.
42. Écrire - to write
J'écris
Tu écris
Il/elle/on écrit
Nous écrivons
Vous écrivez
Ils/elles écrivent
Décrire , s'inscrire,prescrire, proscrire are conjugated similarly.
43. Éteindre - to put out
J'éteins
Tu éteins
Il/elle/on éteint
Nous éteignons
Vous éteignez
Ils/elles éteignent
Peindre, repeindre are conjugated similarly .
44. Faire - to do , to make
Je fais
Tu fais
Il/elle/on fait
Nous faisons
Vous faites
Ils/elles font
A highly irregular verb. It is a very common verb and many expressions are formed with it . I shall later prepare an exhaustive note on this verb. Pay careful attention to its conjugation .
Défaire Refaire ,satisfaire are conjugated similarly.
45. Fondre - to melt
Je fonds
Tu fonds
Il / elle / on fond
Nous fondons
Vous fondez
Ils / elles fondent
Pondre , tondre are conjugated similarly.
46. Joindre - to join
Je joins
Tu joins
Il/elle/on joint
Nous joignons
Vous joignez
Ils/elles joignent
Rejoindre is conjugated similarly.
47. Lire - to read
Je lis
Tu lis
Il/elle/on lit
Nous lisons
Vous lisez
Ils/elles lisent
Élire, relire are conjugated similarly.
48. Mettre - to put on, to keep
Je mets
Tu mets
Il/Elle/on met
Nous mettons
Vous mettez
Ils/elles mettent
Commettre, émettre ,omettre , promettre, remettre, soumettre ,admettre ,permettre are conjugated similarly.
49. Naître - to be born
Je nais
Tu nais
Il/elle/on naît
Nous naissons
Vous naissez
Ils/elles naissent
50. Perdre - to lose
Je perds
Tu perds
Ils/elles perd
Nous perdons
Vous perdez
Ils/ elles perdent
51. Plaire - to please
Je plais
Tu plais
Il/elle/on plaît
Nous plaisons
Vous plaisez
Ils/ elles plaisent
Déplaire is conjugated similarly.
52. Prendre - to take
Je prends
Tu prends
Il/elle/on prend
Nous prenons
Vous prenez
Ils/elles prennent
Comprendre, surprendre,éprendre ,reprendre,apprendre are conjugated similarly.
53. Résoudre - to resolve
Je résous
Tu résous
Il/elle/on résout
Nous résolvons
Vous résolvez
Ils/elles résolvent
Absoudre, dissoudre are conjugated similarly.
54. RIRE - to laugh
Je ris
Tu ris
Il/elle/on rit
Nous rions
Vous riez
Ils/elles rient
Sourire is conjugated similarly.
55. Rompre - to break
Je romps
Tu romps
Il/elle/on romp
Nous rompons
Vous rompez
Ils/ elles rompent
Corrompre is conjugated similarly .
56. Suffire - to be sufficient
Je suffis
Tu suffis
Il/elle/on suffit
Nous suffisons
Vous suffisez
Ils/elles suffisent
57. Suivre - to follow
Je suis
Tu suis
Il/elle/on suit
Nous suivons
Vous suivez
Ils/elles suivent
Poursuivre is conjugated similarly.
58. Se taire - to Keep quiet
Je me tais
Tu te tais
Il/elle/on se tait
Nous nous taisons
Vous vous taisez
Ils/elles se taisent
59. Vaincre - to vanquish
Je vaincs
Tu vaincs
Il/ elle/on vainc
Nous vainquons
Vous vainquez
Ils/elles vainquent
Convaincre is conjugated similarly.
60. Vivre - to live
Je vis
Tu vis
Il/elle/on vit
Nous vivons
Vous vivez
Ils/elles vivent
Survivre is conjugated similarly.
Now I am coming to the end. I have given you almost all the important verbs of French.
I reiterate that while reading a French text or listening to podcast/radio identify the verbs and put them in the proper basket to which they belong. Then only you can master these verbs. For all aspirants to different levels of French Exams, this is a must. Kindly note that my posts are intended for anglophones who need some explanation in French usage and grammar and not for those who want just to have smattering of French conversation . For that purpose, plenty of material is available in net. Expressing correctly in French is really a hard task and don't be under the illusion that by watching some videos , you can attain high proficiency. One has to make great efforts. All depends on why you need French. For motivated learners, study will be a pleasure.
T. K. JAYARAMAN
BANGALORE
