Present tense: -er verbs (Edexcel GCSE French): Revision Notes
Present tense: -er verbs
Overview of -er verbs
The -er verb group represents the largest category of French verbs, and the vast majority follow regular conjugation patterns. This makes them an excellent starting point for learning French verb conjugations.
Why start with -er verbs?
Since -er verbs make up about 90% of all French verbs and follow predictable patterns, mastering them first will give you a solid foundation for French communication. Once you understand these patterns, you'll be able to conjugate hundreds of verbs correctly.
Forming the present tense
To conjugate -er verbs in the present tense, you remove the -er ending from the infinitive and add specific endings depending on the subject pronoun.
Basic conjugation endings
| Subject | Ending | Example with jouer (to play) | English |
|---|---|---|---|
| je | -e | je joue | I play |
| tu | -es | tu joues | you play |
| il/elle/on | -e | il/elle joue | he/she plays |
| nous | -ons | nous jouons | we play |
| vous | -ez | vous jouez | you play |
| ils/elles | -ent | ils/elles jouent | they play |
Pronunciation tip: The endings -e, -es and -ent all sound identical when spoken, which makes listening exercises easier once you recognise this pattern.
Example sentences
- Je joue au football. (I play football.)
- Nous jouons dans le jardin. (We play in the garden.)
- Elles jouent de la guitare. (They play the guitar.)
Common -er verbs
Learning these essential -er verbs will help you communicate effectively in French:
| French | English | French | English |
|---|---|---|---|
| aider | to help | donner | to give |
| aimer | to like | écouter | to listen |
| arriver | to arrive | entrer | to enter |
| parler | to talk | habiter | to live |
| décider | to decide | manger | to eat |
| French | English | French | English |
|---|---|---|---|
| quitter | to leave | téléphoner | to telephone |
| rester | to stay | travailler | to work |
| penser | to think | trouver | to find |
| détester | to hate | visiter | to visit |
Example sentences
- J'aime le chocolat. (I like chocolate.)
- Tu parles français très bien. (You speak French very well.)
- Nous habitons à Londres. (We live in London.)
Spelling changes in -er verbs
Some -er verbs require small spelling adjustments to maintain correct pronunciation. These changes follow predictable patterns:
Common Mistake Alert
Many students forget about spelling changes in -er verbs. These changes are not optional - they're necessary to maintain proper French pronunciation and spelling. Always check if your verb has spelling changes before conjugating!
Verbs ending in -ger
Verbs like manger (to eat), nager (to swim), and plonger (to dive) add an -e in the nous form to keep the g sound soft:
- nous mangeons (we eat)
Verbs ending in -ler and -ter
Verbs such as appeler (to call) and jeter (to throw) double the l or t in most forms except nous and vous:
- j'appelle (I call) but nous appelons (we call)
- ils jettent (they throw) but vous jetez (you throw)
Verbs ending in -yer
Verbs like payer (to pay) and envoyer (to send) change the y to i in most forms except nous and vous:
- j'envoie (I send) but nous envoyons (we send)
- elle paie (she pays) but vous payez (you pay)
Verbs with è changes
Some verbs change e or é to è in certain forms. For example, acheter (to buy), se lever (to get up), and préférer (to prefer):
| Subject | préférer (to prefer) | English |
|---|---|---|
| je | préfère | I prefer |
| tu | préfères | you prefer |
| il/elle | préfère | he/she prefers |
| nous | préférons | we prefer |
| vous | préférez | you prefer |
| ils/elles | préfèrent | they prefer |
Practice exercise
Worked Example: Conjugation Practice
Complete the following passage with the correct verb forms:
Je (s'appeler) Yasmina. J'ai une sœur qui (s'appeler) Diane et qui (jouer) au tennis. Je (préférer) faire du vélo. Je (chanter) et je (jouer) d'un instrument. Le soir, nous (rentrer) à cinq heures et nous (manger). Ensuite je (parler) avec mes amis et j'(écouter) de la musique. Quelquefois, mon frère et moi (jouer) à des jeux vidéo ou (télécharger) un film à regarder plus tard.
Answers:
- s'appelle, s'appelle, joue, préfère, chante, joue, rentrons, mangeons, parle, écoute, jouons, téléchargeons
Translation practice
Worked Example: Translation Practice
French to English:
- Elle travaille dans un hôpital.
- Nous visitons Paris en été.
English to French:
- They listen to music every day.
- I hate vegetables.
Answers:
- She works in a hospital. / We visit Paris in summer.
- Ils écoutent de la musique tous les jours. / Je déteste les légumes.
Key Points to Remember:
- Most French verbs belong to the -er group and follow regular patterns
- The endings -e, -es, and -ent sound identical when spoken
- Remove the -er and add the appropriate ending: je (-e), tu (-es), il/elle (-e), nous (-ons), vous (-ez), ils/elles (-ent)
- Watch out for spelling changes in verbs ending in -ger, -ler/-ter, -yer, and those with è changes
- Learn common -er verbs like aimer, parler, habiter, and travailler as they appear frequently in GCSE French