Present Tense in French
Le présent de l’indicatif
The present tense in French is used to talk about current actions, habits, and general truths. It is one of the most frequently used verb tenses.
When to Use the Present Tense
The present tense describes actions happening now, repeated actions, general facts, and sometimes near-future events.
| Usage | French Example | English Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| Current action | Je travaille. | I am working. |
| Habitual action | Je travaille le lundi. | I work on Mondays. |
| General truth | L’eau bout à 100°C. | Water boils at 100°C. |
| Near future | Je pars demain. | I am leaving tomorrow. |
Spelling Changes
Some verbs change spelling in the present tense to preserve pronunciation.
| Infinitive | Change | Example |
|---|---|---|
| manger | e → eons | nous mangeons |
| commencer | c → ç | nous commençons |
| payer | y → i | je paie |
| préférer | é → è | je préfère |
Subject–Verb Agreement
The verb ending changes according to the subject pronoun.
Common Learner Questions
Helpful questions when using the present tense:
- Is the action happening now or regularly?
- Which verb group does the verb belong to?
- Does the verb require a spelling change?
- Does the verb agree with the subject pronoun?
First Group Verbs (-er)
Most French verbs belong to the first group and follow a regular pattern.
| Pronoun | Parler (to speak) |
|---|---|
| je | parle |
| tu | parles |
| il / elle / on | parle |
| nous | parlons |
| vous | parlez |
| ils / elles | parlent |
Third Group Verbs (Irregular)
Third group verbs are irregular and must be learned individually.
| Verb | Example Form | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| être | je suis | to be |
| avoir | j’ai | to have |
| aller | je vais | to go |
| faire | je fais | to do / make |
The Three Verb Groups
French verbs are divided into three groups based on their infinitive endings.
| Group | Ending | Example Verb |
|---|---|---|
| 1st group | -er | parler (to speak) |
| 2nd group | -ir (-issons) | finir (to finish) |
| 3rd group | Irregular | être, avoir, aller |
Example Sentences
Second Group Verbs (-ir)
Second group verbs end in -ir and form the plural with -issons.
| Pronoun | Finir (to finish) |
|---|---|
| je | finis |
| tu | finis |
| il / elle / on | finit |
| nous | finissons |
| vous | finissez |
| ils / elles | finissent |
Pronunciation Notes
Many present tense endings are silent and sound alike.