How to conjugate ‘ir’ verbs in French

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Conjugating ‘ir’ Verbs in French: A Guide

The “ir” verbs in French are a group of verbs that follow a certain pattern when conjugated in the present tense.

In this lesson, we’ll take a closer look at how to conjugate “ir” verbs in French and provide plenty of examples to help you get started.

1. The Present Tense Conjugation of “ir” Verbs

In the present tense, “ir” verbs are conjugated by removing the “ir” from the infinitive form of the verb and adding the appropriate present tense endings. The present tense endings for “ir” verbs are:

  • Je (I) : -s
  • Tu (You, informal) : -s
  • Il/Elle/On (He/She/One) : -t
  • Nous (We) : -ssons
  • Vous (You, formal) : -ssez
  • Ils/Elles (They) : -ssent

Here are some examples to help illustrate these endings:

Finir (To finish)

  • Je finis (I finish)
  • Tu finis (You finish)
  • Il/Elle/On finit (He/She/One finishes)
  • Nous finissons (We finish)
  • Vous finissez (You finish)
  • Ils/Elles finissent (They finish)

Choisir (To choose)

  • Je choisis (I choose)
  • Tu choisis (You choose)
  • Il/Elle/On choisit (He/She/One chooses)
  • Nous choisissons (We choose)
  • Vous choisissez (You choose)
  • Ils/Elles choisissent (They choose)

Rougir (To blush)

  • Je rougis (I blush)
  • Tu rougis (You blush)
  • Il/Elle/On rougit (He/She/One blushes)
  • Nous rougissons (We blush)
  • Vous rougissez (You blush)
  • Ils/Elles rougissent (They blush)

2. Irregular “ir” Verbs

While most “ir” verbs follow the conjugation pattern outlined above, there are a few irregular verbs that don’t follow this pattern exactly.

Here are some examples of irregular “ir” verbs and their present tense conjugations:

Venir (To come)

  • Je viens (I come)
  • Tu viens (You come)
  • Il/Elle/On vient (He/She/One comes)
  • Nous venons (We come)
  • Vous venez (You come)
  • Ils/Elles viennent (They come)

Dire (To say/tell)

  • Je dis (I say/tell)
  • Tu dis (You say/tell)
  • Il/Elle/On dit (He/She/One says/tells)
  • Nous disons (We say/tell)
  • Vous dites (You say/tell)
  • Ils/Elles disent (They say/tell)

Ouvrir (To open)

  • J’ouvre (I open)
  • Tu ouvres (You open)
  • Il/Elle/On ouvre (He/She/One opens)
  • Nous ouvrons (We open)
  • Vous ouvrez (You open)
  • Ils/Elles ouvrent (They open)

With these examples and the conjugation pattern outlined above, you should now have a good understanding of how to conjugate “ir” verbs in the present tense in French.

Don’t be discouraged if it takes some time and practice to get the hang of it.

As with anything, the more you practice, the easier it will become.

©Frenchlanguagebasics.com

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