How do I conjugate regular verbs in the present tense?

First things first, we take the infinitive. Then, we take a look at the ending, or the last two letters. There are three groups- verbs ending in -er, verbs ending in -ir, and also verbs ending in -re. They conjugate slightly differently so it's important to determine which group we're dealing with. Then, we take off the -er, -ir or -re, and add specific endings that depend on the subject. With ER verbs, for example 'parler' (to talk), we would take off the -er, and then go through the conjugations. 'Je' adds an -e; 'tu' adds an es; 'il', 'elle' and 'on' add an -e; 'nous' adds -ons; 'vous' adds -ez; 'ils' and 'elles' add -ent (remember this -ent ending is silent when spoken). So 'I talk' would translate as 'Je parle'; 'we talk' would become 'nous parlons', and so on. It's the same principle with the two other groups: so with -IR verbs, for example finir (to finish), we would take off the -IR and add specific endings. 'Je' takes -is; 'tu' takes -is too; 'il', 'elle' and 'on' take -it; 'nous' takes -issons; 'vous' takes -issez; 'ils' and 'elles' take -issent (remember the -ent here is also silent). So, 'I finish' would be 'je finis', 'they (m) finish' would be 'ils finissent', etc etc. Finally, with the -RE groups, for example 'vendre' (to sell), we take off the -RE but add these endings instead. 'Je' takes s; 'tu' also takes s; 'il', 'elle' and 'on' don't take anything, so you just leave the ending blank so to speak; 'nous' takes -ons; 'vous' takes -ez; 'ils' and 'elles' take -ent (again, silent when spoken!). So 'I sell' would be 'je vends', but 'he sells' would be 'il vend'. Et voilà, you've conjugated regular verbs in the present tense!

Answered by Meg E. French tutor

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