Unit 5: 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: Present tense of first group (-er verbs)

 

Tu aimes les feuilletons?  

Do you like soap operas?

Nous habitons ici depuis plus de cinq ans  

We've lived here for over five years

Vous fermez à quelle heure?  

What time do you close?

Ils regardent beaucoup la télévision  

They watch TV a lot

 

  See three more examples

 

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: Present tense of second group (-ir verbs)

Elle réussit tout ce qu'elle entreprend  

She succeeds in everything she does

Nous finissons le travail à cinq heures trente  

We finish work at 5.30

Ils garantissent la qualité de ce produit  

They guarantee the quality of this product

 

  See three more examples

 

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.

 

3 -re verbs

For most verbs ending in -dre remove the -re and add -s, -s, -, -ons, -ez, -ent:

 

  Table 5.3a: Present tense of third group verbs ending -re

 

J'attends Pierre depuis une demi-heure  

I've been waiting for Pierre for half an hour

Cette entreprise vend une grande gamme de produits  

This company sells a large selection of products

Nous perdons du temps à attendre ici  

We're wasting time waiting here

 

  See three more examples

 

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