The French present tense, le présent, expresses actions occurring right now, routines, and universal truths. It applies to most verbs with specific endings for regular verbs in -er, -ir, -re, and includes many important irregular verbs.
- Used for current actions, habits, and general truths.
- Regular verb families: -er, -ir, -re.
- Includes both regular and irregular verb forms.
The present tense is used for actions occurring now, routines, and general truths.
Regular Verbs
Regular verbs use the endings -er, -ir, and -re.
Regular verbs are classified by their infinitive endings: -er, -ir, -re. Each group has its own pattern for conjugating in the present tense.
- -er verbs: Most common; remove -er and add endings like -e, -es, -e, -ons, -ez, -ent.
- -ir verbs: For typical -ir verbs, remove -ir and add -is, -is, -it, -issons, -issez, -issent.
- -re verbs: Remove -re and use -s, -s, -_, -ons, -ez, -ent.
For -er verbs, endings are -e, -es, -e, -ons, -ez, -ent.
parler (-er), finir (-ir), vendre (-re) are standard regular verb examples.
Irregular Verbs
être, avoir, aller, faire are key irregular verbs.
Not all verbs follow regular patterns. Irregular verbs like être, avoir, aller, and faire have unique conjugations that must be memorized.
- être: suis, es, est, sommes, êtes, sont
- avoir: ai, as, a, avons, avez, ont
- aller: vais, vas, va, allons, allez, vont
- faire: fais, fais, fait, faisons, faites, font
Irregular verbs are essential for building sentences in many contexts.
Conclusion
French present tense covers what happens now, routines, and facts. Regular verbs fall into three families with neat patterns, while key irregular verbs require special forms.
- Le présent works for current actions, habits, and truths.
- Regular verbs: -er, -ir, -re, each with distinct endings.
- Irregular verbs like être, avoir, aller, faire don’t follow standard rules.