Regular –er verbs

Français I

• The basic form of a verb is called the infinitive. An infinitive is a verb NOT conjugated

• être is an infinitive

• Many French infinitives end in –er– travailler– parler– regarder– ??

• Infinitives like parler and regarder follow a predictable pattern when conjugated.

• They are called REGULAR VERBS

• The present tense forms of -er verbs consist of two parts:STEM + ENDING

• The STEM does not change when you conjugate. It is the infinitive minus -er:

parler parl- voyager voyag-

• The ENDINGS depend on the subject. They vary as follows:

• The above endings in red are silent.

je -e nous

-ons

tu -es vous

-ez

ilelle -e

ilselle

s-ent

Try to conjugate a verb…think of your stem… then the endings

parler =

je nous

tu vous

ilelle

ilselles

Conjugated verb…

parler = to speak

je parle nous parlons

tu parles vous parlez

ilelle parle

ilselles parlent

A few hints on pronunciation and stuff…

• Je becomes j’ before a vowel sound.je parle j’aime

• Note the liaison when the verb begins with a vowel sound:

Nous étudions.

Vous invitez Thomas.

• Observation When the infinitive of the verb ends

in -ger, the nous form ends in -geons.

nager: nous nageons manger: nous mangeons voyager: nous voyageons

z

z

Some new –er verbs…

aimer to like/lovehabiter à to live (in+city)inviter to inviteorganiser to organizevisiter to visit (a place)