Present Tense Basics
The verb écrire is an irregular French verb meaning to write. It is commonly used in everyday speech and writing. In the present tense, it conjugates irregularly, differing from regular -re verbs. The present tense forms are:
| Subject Pronoun | Conjugation |
|---|---|
| je | écris |
| tu | écris |
| il/elle/on | écrit |
| nous | écrivons |
| vous | écrivez |
| ils/elles | écrivent |
This pattern deviates from the regular -re verbs and must be memorized. The stem changes between écri- and écriv- based on the subject pronoun.
Irregular verb forms
Écrire exhibits irregularities especially in past participle and future stems (covered later). Its present tense contains vowel changes, and its conjugation must be learned as an exception to regular conjugation rules.
Examples of use
- Je écris une lettre. (I am writing a letter.)
- Ils écrivent des emails tous les jours. (They write emails every day.)
- Nous écrivons ensemble. (We write together.)
Summary:
- Écrire is irregular in present tense.
- Uses two stems: écri- and écriv-.
- Common verbs for communication and writing.
Past Tenses
Passé Composé with écrire
The passé composé of écrire is formed with avoir as auxiliary plus the past participle écrit:
- J'ai écrit (I wrote)
- Tu as écrit
- Il a écrit, etc.
Example:
J'ai écrit la réponse hier. (I wrote the answer yesterday.)
Imparfait usage
The imperfect stem derives from écriv- plus imperfect endings:
j'écrivais, tu écrivais, il écrivait, nous écrivions, vous écriviez, ils écrivaient.
Example:
Quand j'étais jeune, j'écrivais des poèmes. (When I was young, I used to write poems.)
Past participle details
The past participle of écrire is écrit, invariable except in agreement when used with être (rare) or in past participle agreements.
Summary:
- Passé composé with avoir + écrit.
- Imparfait uses stem écriv-.
- Past participle: écrit.
Future Tense
Futur simple
The futur simple (simple future) uses the irregular stem écrir- plus future endings:
- j'écrirai
- tu écriras
- il écrira
- nous écrirons
- vous écrirez
- ils écriront
Irregular future stems
Unlike present and imperfect stems, the future uses écrir- consistently.
Examples of expressing future writing
- Demain, j'écrirai une carte postale. (Tomorrow, I will write a postcard.)
- Ils écriront leurs mémoires un jour. (They will write their memoirs one day.)
Summary:
- Futur stem: écrir-
- Regular future endings are added.
Imperative Mood
Affirmative commands
- (tu) écris ! (Write!)
- (nous) écrivons ! (Let's write!)
- (vous) écrivez ! (Write! formal or plural)
Negative commands
- Ne écris pas ! (Don't write!)
- Ne écrivons pas ! (Let's not write!)
- Ne écrivez pas ! (Don't write!)
Common phrases
- Écris-moi bientôt ! (Write to me soon!)
- Écrivez clairement, s'il vous plaît. (Write clearly, please.)
Summary:
- Imperative uses present tense forms without subject pronouns.
- Both affirmative and negative forms common.
Subjunctive Mood
Present subjunctive forms
The subjunctive present for écrire (used after expressions of doubt, desire, necessity) conjugates usually with stem écriv- except for nous and vous forms:
| Subject | Subjunctive |
|---|---|
| que je | écrive |
| que tu | écrives |
| qu'il | écrive |
| que nous | écrivions |
| que vous | écriviez |
| qu'ils | écrivent |
Uses in expressing doubt or desire
- Il faut que tu écrives la lettre. (You must write the letter.)
- Je souhaite qu'il écrive un roman. (I wish that he writes a novel.)
Examples
- Je doute qu'elle écrive ce soir. (I doubt she will write tonight.)
- Pourvu que vous écriviez bien! (Hopefully you write well!)
Summary:
- Subjunctive uses two stems, present subjunctive important for nuance.
Common Expressions
Phrases with écrire
- Écrire à quelqu'un – to write to someone
- Écrire un livre/un poème – to write a book/poem
- Écrire une lettre – to write a letter
Idiomatic expressions
- S'en écrire des vertes et des pas mûres – to exchange heated or colorful words
- Mieux vaut écrire droit que parler tort. – Better to write straight than to speak wrongly.
Usage in literature and communication
Écrire is fundamental in literary contexts, journalism, and daily communication, denoting the act of recording thoughts, stories, or messages in written form.
Summary:
- Écrire is central to idiomatic phrases and literary language.
Related Vocabulary
Words related to writing
- le stylo (pen)
- le papier (paper)
- le clavier (keyboard)
- la plume (quill)
Tools for writing
- stylo, crayon, ordinateur (computer)
- cahier (notebook), carnet (journal)
Different types of writing
- écrire une lettre (write a letter)
- écrire un email (write an email)
- écrire un essai (write an essay)
Summary:
- Vocabulary linked to tools and types of writing important for full expression.
Pronunciation Tips
Accentuation and liaison
- Écrire is pronounced /e.kʁiʁ/ — stress typically on the last syllable.
- Liaison after prépositions (ex: "je vais écrire") is not mandatory but possible in fluent speech.
Common mistakes
- Confusing écris (present and imperative) pronunciation or mixing up with similar sounding verbs.
- Misplacing accent aigu on écrire.
Listening practice suggestions
- Listen to native speakers using écrire in context, for example news broadcasts, literature readings, or language apps.
Summary:
- Focus on vowel sounds, stress, and connecting sounds for correct pronunciation.
Comparative Verbs
Écrire vs rédiger vs noter
- Écrire is general to write.
- Rédiger is more formal, meaning to draft/compose often used for formal writing (reports, essays).
- Noter means to note down or jot down, more informal or brief.
Differences with verbs like “rédiger,” “noter”
- Écrire covers all forms of writing; rédiger implies careful formulation; noter implies brief recording.
Contexts for use
- Use écrire for all generic writing.
- Use rédiger in formal, structured writing.
- Use noter when taking notes or writing short messages.
Summary:
- Verb choice depends on context and formality.
Syntax and Sentence Structure
Typical sentence order with écrire
- Subject + écrire + direct object:
Elle écrit un poème. (She writes a poem.)
Use with direct and indirect objects
- Écrire usually takes a direct object (what is written).
- When writing to someone, indirect object via à:
J'écris une lettre à mon ami.
Example sentences
- Il écrit une histoire.
- Nous écrivons des emails à nos clients.
Summary:
- Typical French SVO order with appropriate object complements.
Word Spaces and Nuances
Comparison with dire, parler
- Écrire: producing written language
- Dire: to say, speak aloud
- Parler: to speak or converse
Écrire is specific to written communication, while dire and parler refer to spoken communication.
When to use écrire versus other communication verbs
Use écrire when the focus is on creating/writing down words; dire/parler when reference is to vocalized speech.
Subtle meanings and contexts
Écrire can convey authorship or formality in written work; dire/parler more informal or oral. Selecting the correct verb nuances meaning in discourse.
Summary:
- Écrire strictly for writing; other verbs for spoken communication.
Exercises
References
- French important verbs section for écrire
- Entries for French present tense conjugation and irregularities
- Past tenses with auxiliary and participle of écrire
- Future tense formation of écrire
- Imperative mood and subjunctive mood grammar rules
- Comparative verbs and verbs related to writing contexts
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