Unit 6: The present - semi-irregulars

1 Definition

Semi-irregular are -er verbs that are broadly regular, but where there are minor differences between the nous and / or vous forms and the other forms.

 

2 Formations

2.1 Verbs ending in -cer

Verbs ending in -cer like commencer, forcer, lancer and remplacer take a c cedilla (ç) in the nous form:

Je commence / Nous commençons le travail à 9 heures  

I / We start work at 9 o'clock

  See three more examples

 

2.2 Verbs ending in -ger

Verbs ending in -ger like bouger, changer, manger and voyager retain the e after the g in the nous form:

Je mange / Nous mangeons rarement de la viande  

I / We rarely eat meat

  See three more examples

 

2.3 Verbs like lever

With verbs such as lever, peser, and mener the e in the stem changes to è in all forms except nous and vous:

Je me lève / Nous nous levons à 7 heures du matin  

I / We get up in the morning at 7 o'clock

  See three more examples

 

2.4 Verbs like espérer

With verbs such as espérer, céder, inquiéter and posséder the é in the stem changes to è in all forms except nous and vous:

J'espère / Nous espérons te revoir bientôt  

I / We hope to see you again soon

  See three more examples

 

2.5 Verbs like jeter

Verbs ending in -eler or -eter like jeter, appeler, projeter and rejeter double the consonant l or t in all forms except nous and vous:

Je ne jette jamais / Nous ne jetons jamais les bouteilles avec les ordures  

I / We never throw bottles out with the rubbish

  See three more examples

 

2.6 Verbs like acheter

Exceptions to the above include verbs like acheter and geler which do not double the t or l:

J'achète / Nous achetons tous nos légumes dans ce magasin  

I / We buy all our vegetables from this shop

 

  See three more examples

 

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