📖 Understanding the Differences Between É and ER in French Infinitives and Past Participles

One of the most common mistakes French learners make is confusing -er (infinitive verbs) with -é (past participles).

They look very similar, but they play very different roles in French grammar.

This guide will help you clearly understand the difference between ER and É, how to recognize them, and how to use them correctly.

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1. ER = Infinitive Form

The infinitive is the base form of a verb, equivalent to “to + verb” in English.

• parler → to speak

• manger → to eat

• chanter → to sing

• aimer → to love

👉 Infinitives in -er are the largest group of French verbs (les verbes du premier groupe).

📌 Examples in Sentences:

• Je veux manger. → I want to eat.

• Il aime parler français. → He likes to speak French.

• Nous allons chanter. → We are going to sing.

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2. É = Past Participle of ER Verbs

The past participle is used in compound tenses like the passé composé (present perfect). For regular -er verbs, the past participle is formed by replacing -er with -é.

• parler → parlé → spoken

• manger → mangé → eaten

• chanter → chanté → sung

• aimer → aimé → loved

📌 Examples in Sentences:

• J’ai parlé avec lui. → I spoke with him.

• Elle a mangé une pomme. → She ate an apple.

• Ils ont chanté toute la nuit. → They sang all night.

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3. How to Tell the Difference: ER vs É

Since they look almost identical, how do you avoid mistakes?

👉 Clues in the sentence structure:

• If the verb comes after another verb (like aimer, vouloir, pouvoir, aller), it’s usually an infinitive (ER).

  • Je vais manger. → I’m going to eat.

• If the verb comes after avoir/être (auxiliary verbs), it’s usually a past participle (É).

  • J’ai mangé. → I ate.

👉 Pronunciation difference:

• -er (infinitive) is usually pronounced /e/ (like “ay”).

• -é (past participle) is also pronounced /e/… so they sound the same in most cases!
  ⚠️ That’s why writing mistakes are common. You must rely on grammar context, not sound.

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4. Common Mistakes to Avoid

❌ J’ai manger une pizza.
✅ J’ai mangé une pizza.

❌ Je vais parlé avec lui.
✅ Je vais parler avec lui.

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5. More Examples

• Je veux écouter de la musique. → I want to listen to music. (infinitive)

• J’ai écouté de la musique. → I listened to music. (past participle)

• Nous allons travailler demain. → We are going to work tomorrow. (infinitive)

• Nous avons travaillé hier. → We worked yesterday. (past participle)

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✅ Quick Recap

• -ER = infinitive (to + verb)

  • Je veux manger. → I want to eat.

• -É = past participle (used with avoir/être)

  • J’ai mangé. → I ate.

• They sound the same, but grammar context tells you which one to use.

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🎯 Practice Exercise

Correct the errors in the following sentences:

1. J’ai regarder un film hier.

2. Nous allons étudié ce soir.

3. Elle a aimer ce livre.

4. Ils veulent allé au cinéma.

5. J’ai travaillé et j’ai reposer.

Answers:

1. J’ai regardé un film hier.

2. Nous allons étudier ce soir.

3. Elle a aimé ce livre.

4. Ils veulent aller au cinéma.

5. J’ai travaillé et je me suis reposé.

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Conclusion

The difference between ER and É in French is one of the most important grammar rules for beginners.

• Use -er for infinitives (to + verb).

• Use -é for past participles of regular -er verbs.

• Rely on context and auxiliary verbs to avoid mistakes, since both sound the same when spoken.

👉 Pro tip: Each time you learn a new -er verb, practice writing it in both infinitive (parler) and past participle (parlé) forms.

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• French ER vs É difference
• French infinitives and past participles
• How to use ER and É in French verbs
• Common mistakes in French grammar ER É
• French verbs for beginners with examples