Irregular Verbs
Irregular verbs in French defy the usual patterns, making them essential to learn for smooth communication. This guide focuses on some of the most common irregular verbs you will encounter.
Ir / Être (to go / to be)
The verbs aller (to go) and être (to be) are fundamental and highly irregular, appearing frequently in narratives and everyday speech. Learn their key forms to set a strong foundation.
aller (to go)
| French Conjugation | English Translation |
|---|---|
| je vais | I go / I am going |
| tu vas | you go / you are going |
| il/elle/on va | he/she/one goes / is going |
| nous allons | we go / we are going |
| vous allez | you (pl./form.) go / are going |
| ils/elles vont | they go / they are going |
Sign In
Add an email to access exercises.
être (to be)
| 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./form.) are |
| ils/elles sont | they are |
Sign In
Add an email to access exercises.
Avoir (to have)
The verb avoir (to have) is irregular and central to many compound tenses, as well as expressions of possession and necessity. Master its forms for practical use.
| 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./form.) have |
| ils/elles ont | they have |
Sign In
Add an email to access exercises.
Faire (to do, to make)
Faire (to do, to make) is irregular and extremely versatile, used both literally and in numerous idiomatic expressions. Its common forms appear in everyday plans and descriptions.
| French Conjugation | English Translation |
|---|---|
| je fais | I do / I make |
| tu fais | you do / you make |
| il/elle/on fait | he/she/one does / makes |
| nous faisons | we do / we make |
| vous faites | you (pl./form.) do / make |
| ils/elles font | they do / they make |
Sign In
Add an email to access exercises.
Venir (to come)
The verb venir (to come) is irregular and often appears in phrases about arrival, recent actions, and intentions. Its related verbs follow a similar pattern, making it useful to learn.
| French Conjugation | English Translation |
|---|---|
| je viens | I come |
| tu viens | you come |
| il/elle/on vient | he/she/one comes |
| nous venons | we come |
| vous venez | you (pl./form.) come |
| ils/elles viennent | they come |
Sign In
Add an email to access exercises.
Dire (to say)
Dire (to say) is an irregular verb commonly used to report speech, give instructions, or express opinions. Its forms appear frequently in both spoken and written French.
| French Conjugation | English Translation |
|---|---|
| je dis | I say |
| tu dis | you say |
| il/elle/on dit | he/she/one says |
| nous disons | we say |
| vous dites | you (pl./form.) say |
| ils/elles disent | they say |
Sign In
Add an email to access exercises.
Pouvoir (to be able to), Vouloir (to want), Devoir (to have to)
The verbs pouvoir (to be able to), vouloir (to want), and devoir (to have to) are irregular helpers that express ability, intention, and obligation. They are key to planning and making requests.
pouvoir (to be able to)
| French Conjugation | English Translation |
|---|---|
| je peux | I can / I am able to |
| tu peux | you can / you are able to |
| il/elle/on peut | he/she/one can / is able to |
| nous pouvons | we can / we are able to |
| vous pouvez | you (pl./form.) can / are able to |
| ils/elles peuvent | they can / they are able to |
Sign In
Add an email to access exercises.
vouloir (to want)
| French Conjugation | English Translation |
|---|---|
| je veux | I want |
| tu veux | you want |
| il/elle/on veut | he/she/one wants |
| nous voulons | we want |
| vous voulez | you (pl./form.) want |
| ils/elles veulent | they want |
Sign In
Add an email to access exercises.
devoir (to have to)
| French Conjugation | English Translation |
|---|---|
| je dois | I have to / I must |
| tu dois | you have to / you must |
| il/elle/on doit | he/she/one has to / must |
| nous devons | we have to / we must |
| vous devez | you (pl./form.) have to / must |
| ils/elles doivent | they have to / they must |
Sign In
Add an email to access exercises.
Summary
Irregular verbs like aller, être, avoir, faire, venir, dire, pouvoir, vouloir, and devoir appear everywhere in French. Learning their key forms will greatly improve your ability to express actions, plans, and necessities.
Last updated: Sun Sep 14, 2025