Overview
This lecture teaches how to conjugate regular first group (ER) French verbs in the present tense, including key exceptions to standard rules.
French Verb Groups
- French verbs are divided into three groups: ER, IR, and RE verbs.
- ER and IR verbs are mostly regular; RE verbs are often irregular.
- The infinitive form is the basic, unconjugated verb (e.g., "chanter" = to sing).
Conjugating Regular ER Verbs
- To conjugate, drop the "-er" ending from the infinitive to get the stem.
- Add the following endings to the stem:
- Je: -e (je chante)
- Tu: -es (tu chantes)
- Il/Elle/On: -e (il/elle/on chante)
- Nous: -ons (nous chantons)
- Vous: -ez (vous chantez)
- Ils/Elles: -ent (ils/elles chantent)
- Final "-s" and "-ent" are not pronounced.
Present Tense Usage
- French uses the simple present for actions happening now (e.g., "I sing" covers "I am singing").
- There is no "am/are + ING" form in French.
Practice Example
- To conjugate "regarder" ("to watch"): drop -er, add endings (e.g., nous regardons = we watch).
Exceptions for First Group Verbs
- Verbs ending in -ger (e.g., "manger") keep the "e" before "ons" in "nous" form for pronunciation (nous mangeons).
- Verbs ending in -cer (e.g., "commencer") change "c" to "ç" before "ons" (nous commençons) to keep the soft "c" sound.
Key Terms & Definitions
- Infinitive — The original, unconjugated form of a verb.
- Stem — The verb form after removing the infinitive ending (e.g., "chant-" from "chanter").
- Conjugation — Changing a verb's form to match the subject and tense.
- Present Tense — Describes actions happening now in French using one verb form.
Action Items / Next Steps
- Practice conjugating a list of regular ER verbs in the present tense.
- Create sentences using different subject pronouns and endings.
- Review exceptions for verbs ending in -ger and -cer.
- Read the simple guide provided for further clarification.