Present Tense of Verbs Ending in -IR in French

French verbs that end in -IR belong to the second group of regular verbs. These verbs follow a consistent conjugation pattern in the present tense, making them easier to learn compared to irregular verbs.

1. Conjugation Pattern for Regular -IR Verbs

To conjugate a regular -IR verb in the present tense:

1. Remove the -IR ending from the infinitive to find the stem (radical).
   • Example: finir (to finish) → fin-
2. Add the appropriate present tense endings based on the subject pronoun:

2. Common Regular -IR Verbs

Here are some frequently used -IR verbs:

• finir (to finish)
• choisir (to choose)
• grandir (to grow)
• réussir (to succeed)
• agir (to act)

3. Examples in Sentences

• Je finis mes devoirs. (I am finishing my homework.)
• Tu choisis toujours les meilleures options. (You always choose the best options.)
• Elle grandit très vite. (She is growing very fast.)
• Nous réussissons à résoudre le problème. (We are succeeding in solving the problem.)
• Ils agissent avec prudence. (They act with caution.)

4. Usage of Regular -IR Verbs in the Present Tense

Regular -IR verbs in the present tense can express:

1. An ongoing action:
   • Je finis maintenant. (I am finishing now.)
2. A habitual action:
   • Nous choisissons le même restaurant chaque semaine. (We choose the same restaurant every week.)
3. A general truth:
   • Les enfants grandissent rapidement. (Children grow quickly.)

5. Irregular -IR Verbs

Not all -IR verbs follow this regular pattern. Some -IR verbs, such as partir (to leave), dormir (to sleep), and venir (to come), are irregular and have unique conjugation patterns.

Examples of irregular -IR verbs:

• partir → je pars, tu pars, il part, nous partons, vous partez, ils partent
• venir → je viens, tu viens, il vient, nous venons, vous venez, ils viennent

6. Tips for Mastery

1. Focus on Regular Verbs First: Learn the endings for regular -IR verbs (-is, -is, -it, -issons, -issez, -issent).
2. Practice with Common Verbs: Use verbs like finir and choisir in different sentences to reinforce conjugation.
3. Watch for Irregular Verbs: Pay attention to verbs that deviate from this pattern, as they will require extra practice.
4. Use Verb Drills: Writing full conjugation tables can help solidify your understanding.

By mastering the present tense of regular -IR verbs, you’ll add a valuable tool to your French language skills and be able to communicate more effectively.

You can take the multiple-choice quiz.

Conjugate the verb forms ending in -IR in the present tense.