Reminder:
To form the present tense, you need first to remove the infinitive ending: ER / IR or RE and then add the correct ending according to the subject. Endings are different for the three verb groups:
| ER | IR | RE |
| je | -e | -is | -s |
| tu | -es | -is | -s |
| il/elle/on | -e | -it |
|
| nous | -ons | -issons | -ons |
| vous | -ez | -issez | -ez |
| ils /elles | -ent | -issent | -ent |
Ex: (jouer) Je joue aux cartes. I play cards.
Ex: (finir) Elle finit ses devoirs. She finishes her homework.
Ex: (vendre) Nous vendons la maison. We sell the house.
There are several irregular verbs in the present tense which don't follow the pattern, here are some common ones: faire = to do/make, être = to be, avoir = to have, aller = to go, pouvoir = can, vouloir = to want.
Ex: (aller - to go) Je vais en vacances = I go on holiday.
Ex: (faire - to do/make) Ils font beaucoup de bruit = They make a lot of noise.
Test your understanding below with a quick starter question!