Grammar / The present indicative

A1 Breakthrough
“Je pense donc je suis”. Learn how to conjugate all forms of verbs in the present tense with this help section.
The present indicative tense is used to describe something that is happening at the time of speaking, now, today. It is also used to describe or to talk about a habit.                                         
Verbs ending in -er
  • Most French verbs have their infinitive ending in -er
  • Structure: stem + endings e, es, e, ons, ez, ent

Example: the verb “passer

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Je passe
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Tu passes
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Il/Elle/On passe
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Nous passons
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Vous passez
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Ils/Elles passent

Irregularities:
The verb “aller Irregular verbs: The verbs “aller” and “venir”
Verbs ending in -ger (“manger” ,  “voyager”) With “nous”: nous mangeons, nous voyageons.
Verbs ending in -cer (“commencer”) With “nous”: nous commençons
 
Verbs ending in -ir 
  • Structure: stem + endings s, s, t, ons, ez, ent
Example 1: the verb “sortir” (like: “partir”, “dormir”)
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Je sors  
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Tu sors  
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Il/Elle/On sort  
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Nous   sortons
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Vous   sortez
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Ils/Elles   sortent

Example 2: the verb “finir” (like: “choisir”, “réfléchir”)  
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Je finis  
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Tu finis  
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Il/Elle/On finit  
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Nous   finissons
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Vous   finissez
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Ils/Elles   finissent

Some verbs are conjugated in the same way:
- Verbs ending in -aître, such as “connaître(je connais, nous connaissons)
- Verbs with a stem ending in -s-: verbs ending in -(u)ire, such as “lire(tu lis, vous lisez)
- Verbs with a stem ending in -v-: verbs ending in -crire, such as “écrire (elle écrit, elles écrivent)
 
Verbs ending in -re, -dre, -ire, oir -re, -dre, -ire, oir
  • Most verbs have different stems.
  • Structure: stem + endings s, s, t, ons, ez, ent
Example: the verb “devoir” 
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Je dois
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Tu dois
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Il/Elle/On doit
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Nous devons
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Vous devez
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Ils/Elles doivent
 
Irregularities:
The verbs “pouvoir” and “vouloir have the endings x, x, t, ons, ez, ent
In the case of the verb “prendre” and its derivatives (“comprendre”, “apprendre”) the -t ending does not apply to “il/elle/on”.

Example: the verb “pouvoir
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Je peux
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Tu peux
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Il/Elle/On peut
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Nous pouvons
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Vous pouvez
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Ils/Elles peuvent
For more information: the verbs pouvoir, vouloir and devoir.

Example: the verb “comprendre
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Je comprends
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Tu comprends
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Il/Elle/On comprend
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Nous comprenons
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Vous comprenez
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Ils/Elles comprennent
For more information: the verbs attendre and prendre.

Practical exercises

L'art de la marche, de Laurent Hutinet, interview 7 jours sur la planète

Grammar: present indicative

A1
4 exercises
Look • Listen • Grammar (verbs / present)