1. Regular –er verbs
Français I

2. The basic form of a verb is called the infinitive
The basic form of a verb is called the infinitive. An infinitive is a verb NOT conjugated
être is an infinitive
Many French infinitives end in –er
travailler
parler
regarder ??
Infinitives like parler and regarder follow a predictable pattern when conjugated.
They are called REGULAR VERBS

3. parler parl- voyager voyag-
The present tense forms of -er verbs consist of two parts:
STEM + ENDING
The STEM does not change when you conjugate. It is the infinitive minus -er:
parler parl voyager voyag-
The ENDINGS depend on the subject. They vary as follows:
The above endings in red are silent. je -e
nous
-ons tu
-es
vous
-ez il
elle
ils
elles
-ent

4. Try to conjugate a verb… think of your stem… then the endings
parler = je
nous tu
vous il
elle
ils
elles

5. Conjugated verb… parler = to speak je parle nous parlons tu parles
vous
parlez il
elle
ils
elles
parlent

6. A few hints on pronunciation and stuff…
Je becomes j’ before a vowel sound.
je parle j’aime
Note the liaison when the verb begins with a vowel sound:
Nous étudions.
Vous invitez Thomas.
Observation When the infinitive of the verb ends in -ger, the nous form ends in -geons.
nager: nous nageons
manger: nous mangeons
voyager: nous voyageons z z

7. Some new –er verbs… aimer to like/love habiter à to live (in+city)
inviter to invite
organiser to organize
visiter to visit (a place)