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Writer's pictureMargot Berzosa

French for intermediate: How to use French ER verbs with confidence in the present tense

Updated: Nov 27

Are you struggling to master the French language, particularly when it comes to using ER verbs in the present tense? Well, fear no more! In this article, we will equip you with the knowledge and confidence you need to tackle those tricky ER verbs head-on.

French garden in Versailles
Jardin à la française in Versailles

Whether you're a beginner or intermediate learner, this article will help you master ER verbs, from conjugation rules to common irregularities. With clear explanations and examples, you'll soon conjugate like a native speaker. Let's dive in!


Regular ER verb conjugation rule


ER verbs are one of the three main verb categories and are regular in conjugation, making them ideal for beginners. To conjugate, remove the "ER" ending from the infinitive and add the correct ending based on the subject pronoun. Here are the endings for regular ER verbs in the present tense:

  • Je: e

  • Tu: es

  • Il/Elle/On: e

  • Nous: ons

  • Vous: ez

  • Ils/Elles: ent


For example, let's take the verb "parler" (to speak) as an example:

  • Je parle (I speak)

  • Tu parles (You speak)

  • Il/Elle/On parle (He/She/One speaks)

  • Nous parlons (We speak)

  • Vous parlez (You speak)

  • Ils/Elles parlent (They speak)


As you can see, the endings match the subject pronouns, making it easier to identify who is performing the action.


Common ER verbs and their conjugations


Now that we have a grasp of the regular ER verb conjugation rules, let's explore some common ER verbs and their conjugations in the present tense. These verbs are frequently used in everyday conversations and will greatly expand your vocabulary.


1. Parler (to speak)

  • Je parle [par-luh]

  • Tu parles

  • Il/Elle/On parle

  • Nous parlons [par-lohn]

  • Vous parlez [par-ley]

  • Ils/Elles parlent [par-luh]


2. Manger (to eat)

  • Je mange [mon-juh]

  • Tu manges

  • Il/Elle/On mange

  • Nous mangeons [mon-john]

  • Vous mangez [mon-jey]

  • Ils/Elles mangent [mon-juh]


3. Acheter (to buy)

  • J'achète [jah-chey-tuh]

  • Tu achètes

  • Il/Elle/On achète

  • Nous achetons [ah-chuh-tohn]

  • Vous achetez [ah-chuh-tey]

  • Ils/Elles achètent [ah-chey-tuh]


By familiarizing yourself with these common ER verbs and their conjugations, you will be able to express yourself more fluently in French.


Learn more about the French ER verbs with GoFrench


To help improve your French conjugation, GoFrench can be useful for intermediate who want to immerse themselves in the language and culture of France. Don't wait - sign up for GoFrench today and start your journey to fluency!


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