Irregular Verbs in the Present Tense

• One crucial aspect of French grammar to master is the usage of irregular verbs in the present tense.
• These verbs do not follow a consistent conjugation pattern, hence the term ‘irregular’.
• Here’s an example illustrating the conjugation for ‘être’ (to be): Je suis (I am), Tu es (You are), Il/Elle/On est (He/She/It is), Nous sommes (We are), Vous êtes (You are, plural/formal), Ils/Elles sont (They are).
• The verb ‘avoir’ (to have) is also vital: J’ai (I have), Tu as (You have), Il/Elle/On a (He/She has), Nous avons (We have), Vous avez (You have, plural/formal), Ils/Elles ont (They have).
• Identify other irregular verbs such as ‘aller’ (to go), ‘faire’ (to do/make), ‘prendre’ (to take), ‘voir’ (to see), etc. By memorising their conjugations, you are increasing your fluency in French.
• In French, the endings of the verbs often change according to the subject. With irregular verbs, however, these endings can be unpredictable.
• Practice the irregular verbs by writing sentences and focusing on common verbs such as ‘savoir’ (to know), ‘pouvoir’ (can/to be able to), ‘venir’ (to come), etc.
• Frequently, the verb ‘être’ is used in the formation of past tenses, making its correct conjugation particularly important.
• While learning these, keep in mind that context is crucial for determining the right form of the verb.
• A good way to remember these is by associating them with sentences you are likely to use often, embedding them in your memory through frequent usage in conversation.
• Repeated practice and usage are the best methods to fully grasp and remember the quirky conjugation of these irregular verbs. Make flashcards, do exercises, and practice by speaking and writing sentences using these verbs. Look for patterns that might help you remember them better.
• Understanding and correctly using these verbs is essential to professional fluency in French, and will make your spoken and written French sound more natural.