French Verb Groups
Les groupes de verbes
French verbs are classified into three main verb groups, based on their infinitive endings and conjugation patterns.
Common Mistakes
- Assuming all -ir verbs are second group
- Treating aller as a regular -er verb
- Overgeneralizing regular endings to irregular verbs
What Are Verb Groups?
Verb groups help learners predict how a verb is conjugated. While there are many irregular verbs, most French verbs follow patterns belonging to one of three groups.
- Most new French verbs belong to this group
- Spelling changes may occur (manger → mangeons)
- Pronunciation often remains stable
First Group Verbs (-er)
First group verbs end in -er (except aller). They are the most common and follow a very regular conjugation pattern.
- Very common everyday verbs
- Many stem changes across persons
- Must be learned individually
Third Group Verbs (Irregular Verbs)
The third group includes all irregular verbs. Their conjugation patterns vary and must often be memorized.
Example Sentences
Je parle avec mes amis.I speak with my friends.
Nous finissons le cours à midi.We finish the class at noon.
Elle prend le train tous les jours.She takes the train every day.
Ils vont à l’université ensemble.They go to the university together.
Vous faites un bon travail.You are doing a good job.
- Look for -issons to identify this group
- Often describe processes or changes
- Pronunciation changes in plural forms
Second Group Verbs (-ir with -issons)
Second group verbs end in -ir and form -issons in the nous form. They are regular but less common.
- Check the infinitive ending (-er, -ir, -re, -oir)
- Test the nous form (-issons → 2nd group)
- If irregular, it belongs to the 3rd group
How to Identify the Verb Group
Overview of the Three Verb Groups
| Group | Infinitive Ending | Regularity | Examples |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1st Group | -er | Mostly regular | parler, aimer, travailler |
| 2nd Group | -ir (with -issons) | Regular | finir, choisir, réussir |
| 3rd Group | -ir, -re, -oir | Irregular | prendre, venir, voir |
| Pronoun | Conjugation of parler | Example |
|---|---|---|
| je | parle | Je parle français. |
| tu | parles | Tu parles vite. |
| il / elle | parle | Il parle anglais. |
| nous | parlons | Nous parlons beaucoup. |
| vous | parlez | Vous parlez bien. |
| ils / elles | parlent | Ils parlent ensemble. |
| Pronoun | Conjugation of finir | Example |
|---|---|---|
| je | finis | Je finis le travail. |
| tu | finis | Tu finis tôt. |
| il / elle | finit | Elle finit à midi. |
| nous | finissons | Nous finissons ensemble. |
| vous | finissez | Vous finissez demain. |
| ils / elles | finissent | Ils finissent le projet. |
| Verb | Infinitive Ending | Present (je) | Meaning |
|---|---|---|---|
| prendre | -re | prends | to take |
| venir | -ir | viens | to come |
| voir | -oir | vois | to see |
| faire | -re | fais | to do / make |
| aller | -er (irregular) | vais | to go |