Verb tenses studies in the French B SL course, taken by Ava Maleki
PRESENT:
Formula: remove the ending, keep the root of the verb, and add the new ending
Let’s elaborate on third group verbs:
Most verbs from the 3rd group: -s -s -t -ons -ez -ent
In -dre like vendre, perdre, coudre: -ds -ds -d -ons -ez -ent
Except the verbs in -aindre, -eindre, -oindre, -soudre like craindre, peindre, joindre, résoudre: -s -s -t -ons -ez –ent
Pouvoir, vouloir, valoir: -x -x -t -ons -ez -ent
Ouvrir, cueillir: -e -es -e -ons -ez -ent
These are some important IRREGULAR verbs to know:
Avoir (to have)
Etre (to be)
Pouvoir
Vouloir
Devoir
Voir
Boire
Croire
Faire
Prendre
Dire
Finir
S’appeler
Dormir
Savoir
Ecrire
Connaitre
Partir
Etudier
PASSE COMPOSE:
Formula: SUBJECT (je, tu, …) + AUXILIARY VERB (etre or avoir) + PAST PARTICIPLE
AUXILIARY
The auxiliary verb is conjugated in the present according to the subject
Almost all verbs have AVOIR as their auxiliary, except for the following which have ETRE. You can use the mnemonic DR and MRS VANDERTRAMP to remember:
Devenir
Revenir
Monter
Retourner
Sortir
Venir
Arriver
Naitre
Descendre
Entrer
Rentrer
Tomber
Revenir
Aller
Mourir
Partir
PAST PARTICIPLE:
Change the endings according to the following chart
Again, the endings for the irregular verbs may be different. Refer to the irregular verbs in the PRÉSENT section above.
IMPARFAIT:
Consider the “nous” form of the verb in the present tense. Then remove the “-ons” ending and add the following endings instead, according to the subject.
Example:
Manger → mangeons → je mangeais
The exceptions are etre and avoir.
IMPÉRATIF:
It is used to give a command or an order. It is only used with “tu” “vous” and “nous”. Remove the subject, and adjust endings in the following way.
There are IRREGULAR verbs that are listed here.
FUTUR PROCHE:
Formula: SUBJECT + ALLER conjugated in the present + VERB in the INFINITIVE form
“Aller” conjugated in the present:
