ConjugationTo break down a verb according to

tense and subject (subject pronoun)

In order to conjugate, we must be aware of some

key terms…

PronounsA pronoun replaces a noun. In

French, there are 8 subject pronouns.

I You (singular)

He

She

We

You (plural or formal)

They (masc.)

They (fem.)

French Pronouns

Je = I

Tu = You

Il = He

Elle = She

Nous = We

Also known as, first-person plural. You are performing the action with another person, or a group a people.

Examples: We are going to the beach. We are happy. We took a photo to remember that special day.

Vous = You

You plural: When you are talking TO more than one person VS. You formal: When you are talking TO

someone that you don’t know very well, or they are in a position of respect (example: teacher, principal, boss,

doctor…)

You plural You formal

Ils = They (m.)

ALL males OR males and females

Elles = They

Must be ALL women

InfinitiveThis is the purest form of the verb. In French the infinitive has one of three different endings, -er, -ir , or –re. When translated into English, it always starts with “to ________”.

Examples:jouer – to playchanter – to singchoisir – to choose

finir – to finishvendre – to sellperdre – to lose

Finding the stemThe first step in conjugating a verb is finding the stem. Look at the infinitive and determine the ending (-er, -ir, -re). Once you locate the ending, drop it from the verb. You now have the stem. The stem remains the same, no matter the pronoun, it is the ending that changes.

parl er

Endings for “REGULAR”–er verbs

Je – add “e” to the stem

parl e

Tu – add “es” to the stem

parl es

Il and Elle – add “e” to the stem

parl e

Nous – add “ons” to the stem

parl ons

Vous – add “ez” to the stem

parl ez

Ils and Elles – add “ent” to the stem

parl entDon’t forget that the “ent” is silent.