The present tense describes habitual actions, general truths, and what is happening now. It is essential for everyday communication and for expressing time in a straightforward way.
Usage
Use the present tense to talk about routines, current actions, and things that are generally true. It can also soften requests and make speech more natural.
Formation
The present tense is formed by removing the infinitive ending and adding endings that agree with the subject. Regular verbs follow predictable patterns for each group.
-er Verbs
Here are the endings for regular -er verbs like parler when conjugated in the present tense.
| French Conjugation | English Translation | |
|---|---|---|
| je parle | I speak / I am speaking | |
| tu parles | you speak / you are speaking | |
| il/elle/on parle | he/she/one speaks | |
| nous parlons | we speak / we are speaking | |
| vous parlez | you (pl.) speak | |
| ils/elles parlent | they speak |
-ir Verbs
Regular -ir verbs like finir follow a consistent pattern in the present tense.
| French Conjugation | English Translation | |
|---|---|---|
| je finis | I finish / I am finishing | |
| tu finis | you finish | |
| il/elle/on finit | he/she/one finishes | |
| nous finissons | we finish | |
| vous finissez | you (pl.) finish | |
| ils/elles finissent | they finish |
-re Verbs
Regular -re verbs like vendre drop the final -re and add endings in the present tense.
| French Conjugation | English Translation | |
|---|---|---|
| je vends | I sell / I am selling | |
| tu vends | you sell | |
| il/elle/on vend | he/she/one sells | |
| nous vendons | we sell | |
| vous vendez | you (pl.) sell | |
| ils/elles vendent | they sell |
Irregular Verbs
Some common verbs change their stem or endings in ways you have to memorize. They are essential because they are used so often.
être (to be)
Être is irregular and appears in many expressions. Learn its forms carefully.
| French Conjugation | English Translation | |
|---|---|---|
| je suis | I am | |
| tu es | you are | |
| il/elle/on est | he/she/one is | |
| nous sommes | we are | |
| vous êtes | you (pl.) are | |
| ils/elles sont | they are |
avoir (to have)
Avoir is irregular and used both literally and in many idiomatic expressions.
| French Conjugation | English Translation | |
|---|---|---|
| j'ai | I have | |
| tu as | you have | |
| il/elle/on a | he/she/one has | |
| nous avons | we have | |
| vous avez | you (pl.) have | |
| ils/elles ont | they have |
aller (to go)
Aller is irregular and important for talking about near future with aller + infinitive.
| French Conjugation | English Translation | |
|---|---|---|
| je vais | I go / I am going | |
| tu vas | you go | |
| il/elle/on va | he/she/one goes | |
| nous allons | we go | |
| vous allez | you (pl.) go | |
| ils/elles vont | they go |
faire (to do, to make)
Faire is irregular and appears in many expressions for activities, weather, and tasks. Its present forms are essential for describing actions and plans.
| French Conjugation | English Translation | |
|---|---|---|
| je fais | I do / I make | |
| tu fais | you do / you make | |
| il/elle fait | he/she does / makes | |
| nous faisons | we do / we make | |
| vous faites | you (pl.) do / make | |
| ils/elles font | they do / they make |
faire (to do / to make)
Faire is irregular and appears in many phrases for activities, weather, and more.
| French Conjugation | English Translation | |
|---|---|---|
| je fais | I do / I make | |
| tu fais | you do | |
| il/elle/on fait | he/she/one does | |
| nous faisons | we do | |
| vous faites | you (pl.) do | |
| ils/elles font | they do |
Summary
The present tense describes habitual, general, and current actions. Regular -er, -ir, and -re verbs follow predictable patterns, while key irregular verbs like être, avoir, aller, and faire must be learned because they are so common.
Last updated: Fri Oct 24, 2025