1. To break down a verb according to tense and subject (subject pronoun)
Conjugation
To break down a verb according to tense and subject (subject pronoun)
In order to conjugate, we must be aware of some key terms…

2. A pronoun replaces a noun. In French, there are 8 subject pronouns.We I
She
You (singular)
They (masc.) He
You (plural or formal)
They (fem.)

3. French Pronouns
Je = I

4. Tu = You

5. Il = He

6. Elle = She

7. Nous = We
Also known as, first-person plural. You are performing the action with another person, or a group a people.
Examples: We are going to the beach. We are happy. We took a photo to remember that special day.

8. Vous = You You plural You formal
You plural: When you are talking TO more than one person VS. You formal: When you are talking TO someone that you don’t know very well, or they are in a position of respect (example: teacher, principal, boss, doctor…)
You plural
You formal

9. Ils = They (m.)
ALL males OR males and females

10. Elles = They
Must be ALL women

11. Infinitive
This is the purest form of the verb. In French the infinitive has one of three different endings, -er, -ir , or –re. When translated into English, it always starts with “to ________”.
Examples:
jouer – to play
chanter – to sing
choisir – to choose
finir – to finish
vendre – to sell
perdre – to lose

12. parl er Finding the stem
The first step in conjugating a verb is finding the stem. Look at the infinitive and determine the ending (-er, -ir, -re). Once you locate the ending, drop it from the verb. You now have the stem. The stem remains the same, no matter the pronoun, it is the ending that changes.
parl er

13. Endings for “REGULAR”–er verbs
Je – add “e” to the stem
parl e

14. Tu – add “es” to the stem
parl es

15. Il and Elle – add “e” to the stem
parl e

16. Nous – add “ons” to the stem
parl
ons

17. Vous – add “ez” to the stem
parl ez

18. Ils and Elles – add “ent” to the stem
parl
ent
Don’t forget that the “ent” is silent.