The present - regulars
1 -er
verbs Some
verbs
conjugate
in a predictable fashion, and these are called
regular verbs. The majority of
these are verbs ending -er , also known as first group verbs. For them the present
tense is formed by removing the -er and adding
the following endings: -e , -es ,
-e , -ons , -ez ,
-ent :
Table 5.1a: -er verbs
aimer to like
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j’ aime tu aimes il / elle aime nous aimons vous aimez ils / elles aiment
Tu aimes les feuilletons?
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Do you like soap operas?
Nous habitons ici depuis plus
de cinq ans
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We've lived here for over five years
Vous fermez à quelle heure?
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What time do you close?
Ils regardent beaucoup la télévision
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They watch TV a lot
Nous comptons sur lui pour résoudre le problème.
We’re counting on him to solve the problem.
Ils proposent un changement dans le programme.
They’re proposing a change to the programme.
A quelle heure est-ce que vous vous couchez pendant la semaine?
What time do you go to bed during the week?
Le soleil brille, nous pouvons nous asseoir dans le jardin.
The sun’s shining, we can sit out in the garden.
Est-ce que tu joues au tennis aujourd’hui?
Are you playing tennis today?
2 -ir
verbs There is also a smaller group of regular
verbs
ending -ir (these are also known as second group verbs). For regular -ir verbs, remove the -ir
and add -is , -is , -it ,
-issons , -issez , -issent :
Table 5.2a: -ir verbs
finir to finish
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je
finis tu
finis il / elle
finit nous
finissons vous finissez ils / elles finissent
Elle réussit tout ce qu'elle
entreprend
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She succeeds in everything she does
Nous finissons le travail à
cinq heures trente
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We finish work at 5.30
Ils garantissent la qualité
de ce produit
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They guarantee the quality of this product
Ma soeur rougit facilement.
My sister blushes easily.
Ils grandissent très vite, vos enfants.
They’re growing up fast, your children.
Ils obéissent toujours à leur mère.
They always obey their mother.
Le musée enrichit sa collection.
The museum is adding to its collection.
Depuis quelques années sa vue faiblit.
For some years his sight has been getting worse.
Note Note that not all verbs ending -ir are regular. Many verbs ending -ir and -oir have irregular endings, e.g. ouvrir - j'ouvre , recevoir - je reçois .
Elle reçois une bourse d'étude
She receives a student grant
3 -re
verbs For most
verbs
ending in -dre remove the -re
and add -s , -s , -, -ons ,
-ez , -ent :
Table 5.3a: -re verbs
rendre to give back
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je
rends tu
rends il / elle
rend nous
rendons vous
rendez ils / elles
rendent
J'attends Pierre depuis une
demi-heure
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I've been waiting for Pierre for half an hour
Cette entreprise vend une grande
gamme de produits
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This company sells a large selection of products
Nous perdons du temps à attendre
ici
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We're wasting time waiting here
Est-ce que tu entends les avions quand les fenêtres sont fermées?
Can you hear the planes when the windows are closed?
Quand tu lui demandes il répond qu’il n’a pas faim.
When you ask him he replies that he’s not hungry.
Elle bat tous les records avec cet album.
She’s breaking all the records with this album.
Cela me détend de t’écouter jouer du piano.
It relaxes me to hear you play the piano.
Cela ne correspond pas à ce qu’il m’a dit.
That doesn’t correspond with what he told me.
