Present tense: -ir and -re verbs (AQA GCSE French): Revision Notes
Present tense: -ir and -re verbs
Understanding -ir and -re verb patterns
When learning French present tense, -ir and -re verbs follow specific patterns that are different from regular -er verbs. These verbs can be grouped into categories based on how they conjugate, making them easier to learn and remember.
The key to mastering these verbs is recognising which group they belong to, as this determines their conjugation pattern. Some -ir verbs behave similarly to each other, whilst -re verbs have their own distinct patterns with some irregular exceptions.
The secret to success with -ir and -re verbs is pattern recognition. Once you identify which category a verb belongs to, you can predict its entire conjugation.
-ir verbs: two main groups
French -ir verbs are divided into two distinct groups that follow completely different conjugation patterns. Understanding this fundamental division is essential for correct conjugation.
Group 1: -ir verbs that add -ss in plural forms
These verbs, like finir (to finish), add -ss to the stem when conjugating the nous, vous, and ils/elles forms. This group includes many common verbs and follows a predictable pattern.
Conjugation Pattern: finir (to finish)
- je finis (I finish)
- tu finis (you finish)
- il/elle/on finit (he/she/one finishes)
- nous finissons (we finish)
- vous finissez (you finish)
- ils/elles finissent (they finish)
Other verbs following this pattern:
- choisir (to choose) - conjugates exactly like finir
Group 2: -ir verbs that don't add -ss
These verbs, such as partir (to leave), follow a different pattern. The singular forms often end in -s, -s, -t, which is why they're sometimes called "-s → +t verbs."
Conjugation Pattern: partir (to leave)
- je pars (I leave)
- tu pars (you leave)
- il/elle/on part (he/she/one leaves)
- nous partons (we leave)
- vous partez (you leave)
- ils/elles partent (they leave)
Other verbs in this group:
- dormir (to sleep) - je dors
- sortir (to go out) - je sors
-re verbs: regular and irregular patterns
The -re verb family splits into regular and irregular patterns, each requiring different approaches to conjugation.
Regular -re verbs
Regular -re verbs follow a straightforward pattern where you remove the -re ending and add the appropriate present tense endings. The verb répondre (to reply) is a perfect example of this pattern.
Conjugation Pattern: répondre (to reply)
- je réponds (I reply)
- tu réponds (you reply)
- il/elle/on répond (he/she/one replies)
- nous répondons (we reply)
- vous répondez (you reply)
- ils/elles répondent (they reply)
Other regular -re verbs:
- attendre (to wait)
- descendre (to go down)
- entendre (to hear)
- perdre (to lose)
- vendre (to sell)
Irregular -re verbs
Some -re verbs have irregular conjugations, particularly écrire (to write), which changes its stem between singular and plural forms.
Conjugation Pattern: écrire (to write)
- j'écris (I write)
- tu écris (you write)
- il/elle/on écrit (he/she/one writes)
- nous écrivons (we write)
- vous écrivez (you write)
- ils/elles écrivent (they write)
Similar irregular patterns:
- dire (to say) - je dis, tu dis, il/elle/on dit
- lire (to read) - je lis, tu lis, il/elle/on lit
- boire (to drink) - je bois, tu bois, il/elle/on boit
Important exceptions
The verb prendre (to take) and its related verbs like comprendre (to understand) and apprendre (to learn) follow regular patterns except in the nous, vous, and ils/elles forms.
These verbs are particularly tricky because they look regular but have unexpected plural forms.
Exception Pattern: prendre (to take)
- je prends (I take)
- tu prends (you take)
- il/elle/on prend (he/she/one takes)
- nous prenons (we take)
- vous prenez (you take)
- ils/elles prennent (they take)
Grammar tip: emphasising ongoing actions
To emphasise that you're doing something right at this moment, you can use être en train de + infinitive. This construction adds emphasis to ongoing actions.
Example: Je suis en train d'écrire un e-mail (I am in the middle of writing an email)
Useful vocabulary
| French Verb | English Translation | Verb Group |
|---|---|---|
| finir | to finish | -ir with -ss |
| choisir | to choose | -ir with -ss |
| partir | to leave | -ir without -ss |
| dormir | to sleep | -ir without -ss |
| sortir | to go out | -ir without -ss |
| répondre | to reply | regular -re |
| attendre | to wait | regular -re |
| descendre | to go down | regular -re |
| entendre | to hear | regular -re |
| perdre | to lose | regular -re |
| vendre | to sell | regular -re |
| écrire | to write | irregular -re |
| dire | to say | irregular -re |
| lire | to read | irregular -re |
| boire | to drink | irregular -re |
| prendre | to take | exception |
| comprendre | to understand | exception |
| apprendre | to learn | exception |
Example sentences with translations
Present Tense Examples:
- Je finis mes devoirs à huit heures. (I finish my homework at eight o'clock.)
- Nous partons en vacances demain. (We're leaving on holiday tomorrow.)
- Tu réponds toujours rapidement. (You always reply quickly.)
- Elle écrit une lettre à sa grand-mère. (She's writing a letter to her grandmother.)
- Ils prennent le train tous les matins. (They take the train every morning.)
Using "être en train de":
- Je suis en train de lire un livre fascinant. (I'm in the middle of reading a fascinating book.)
- Nous sommes en train d'apprendre le français. (We're in the process of learning French.)
Practice exercises
Translate from French to English:
- Le mardi, les cours finissent à cinq heures.
- Mon ami ne boit pas de café.
Translate from English to French: 3. We are learning French. 4. The train leaves at 8:20.
Answers:
- On Tuesday, lessons finish at five o'clock.
- My friend doesn't drink coffee.
- Nous apprenons le français.
- Le train part à huit heures vingt.
Key Points to Remember:
- -ir verbs split into two groups: those that add -ss in plural forms (like finir) and those that don't (like partir)
- Regular -re verbs follow a simple pattern: drop -re and add present tense endings
- Irregular -re verbs like écrire change their stems between singular and plural forms
- Prendre and its family are exceptions with irregular nous, vous, and ils/elles forms
- Use "être en train de" + infinitive to emphasise actions happening right now