Present Tense: Verbs in -RE in French

French verbs that end in -RE belong to the third group of verbs. Many of these verbs are regular, meaning they follow a predictable pattern in the present tense, but there are also irregular -RE verbs that require special conjugation.

1. Conjugation Pattern for Regular -RE Verbs

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

1. Remove the -RE ending from the infinitive to find the stem (radical).
   • Example: vendre (to sell) → vend-
2. Add the appropriate present tense endings based on the subject pronoun:

2. Common Regular -RE Verbs

Here are some frequently used -RE verbs that follow this regular pattern:

• vendre (to sell)
• attendre (to wait)
• entendre (to hear)
• perdre (to lose)
• répondre (to answer)

3. Examples in Sentences

• Je vends ma voiture. (I am selling my car.)
• Tu attends ton ami ? (Are you waiting for your friend?)
• Il entend la musique. (He hears the music.)
• Nous perdons souvent nos clés. (We often lose our keys.)
• Elles répondent à la question. (They are answering the question.)

4. Irregular -RE Verbs

Not all -RE verbs follow the regular pattern. Some irregular -RE verbs have unique conjugation patterns that must be memorized.

Examples of Irregular -RE Verbs:

1. Prendre (to take)
   • je prends, tu prends, il prend, nous prenons, vous prenez, ils prennent
   • Nous prenons le train. (We are taking the train.)
2. Mettre (to put)
   • je mets, tu mets, il met, nous mettons, vous mettez, ils mettent
   • Il met ses chaussures. (He is putting on his shoes.)
3. Dire (to say)
   • je dis, tu dis, il dit, nous disons, vous dites, ils disent
   • Vous dites toujours la vérité. (You always tell the truth.)
4. Lire (to read)
   • je lis, tu lis, il lit, nous lisons, vous lisez, ils lisent
   • Je lis un roman intéressant. (I am reading an interesting novel.)

5. Key Differences Between Regular and Irregular -RE Verbs

• Regular -RE Verbs: Follow the standard conjugation rules (e.g., vendre, attendre).
• Irregular -RE Verbs: Have unique stems or endings that deviate from the regular pattern (e.g., prendre, dire).

6. Tips for Mastery

1. Start with Regular Verbs: Focus on mastering regular -RE verbs first, as they are easier to learn.
2. Practice Irregular Verbs Gradually: Memorize common irregular verbs and their unique conjugations.
3. Create Flashcards: Use flashcards to practice both regular and irregular -RE verbs.
4. Write Sentences: Practice writing sentences using different -RE verbs to reinforce your learning.
5. Listen to Spoken French: Pay attention to how native speakers use -RE verbs in everyday conversations.

By understanding the conjugation patterns for regular -RE verbs and practicing common irregular ones, you’ll be able to express yourself more effectively in the present tense.

You can take the multiple-choice quiz.

Conjugate the verb forms in -RE with the present indicative.