How to Conjugate Regular -IR Verbs in Present Tense?
Regular -IR verbs follow a consistent pattern in the present tense. Unlike -ER verbs, they have slightly different endings and a key change in the 'nous' and 'vous' forms. Learning this pattern helps you conjugate dozens of common verbs.
Regular -IR verbs conjugate as: je (base), tu (base), il/elle (base+t), nous (base+ss), vous (base+ss), ils/elles (base). The infinitive root is 'fin' (from finir); -is, -is, -it, -issons, -issez, -issent.
Step-by-step worked examples
Conjugate 'choisir' (to choose) for all six persons.
Root: chois- (remove -ir from choisir) je choisis, tu choisis, il choisit, nous choisissons, vous choisissez, ils choisissent Notice: nous/vous add double 's' (ss)
Fill in: 'Je ___ mon dîner.' (I finish my dinner.)
Verb: finir (to finish) Root: fin- for 'je': fin + is = finis Complete: 'Je finis mon dîner.'
Say 'We are choosing a restaurant' in French.
Verb: choisir (to choose) Root: chois- for 'nous': chois + issons = choisissons 'Nous choisissons un restaurant.'
Flashcards
Quick quiz
Q1.Complete: 'Je ___ mon travail.' (I finish my work.) — Use 'finir'
Q2.What is the 'nous' form of 'choisir'?
Q3.Fill: 'Il ___ ses livres.' (He chooses his books.) — Use 'choisir'
Q4.Which is the correct conjugation pattern for -IR verbs?
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Common mistakes
Je finissons mon travail. — Correct: Je finis mon travail. — 'Je' takes -is, not -issons. Only 'nous/vous' get -issons/-issez.
Il choisent un livre. — Correct: Il choisit un livre. — 'Il' takes -it. 'Ils choisent' (they).
Nous choisir le restaurant. — Correct: Nous choisissons le restaurant. — Conjugate the verb (choisissons), don't use the infinitive.
Regular -IR verbs conjugate like -ER verbs. — Correct: No — -IR verbs have a different pattern: -is/-is/-it/-issons/-issez/-issent. The 'nous/vous' forms have a double 's'.
FAQ
What is the pattern for regular -IR verbs?
Regular -IR present tense: je (base-is), tu (base-is), il/elle (base-it), nous (base-issons), vous (base-issez), ils/elles (base-issent). Remove -ir and add the appropriate ending.
Why do nous/vous have double 's'?
In French, -iss- is inserted before the nous/vous endings to maintain pronunciation. This is a regular pattern for all -IR verbs in the present tense.
What common verbs are regular -IR verbs?
Finir (to finish), choisir (to choose), réussir (to succeed), bâtir (to build), remplir (to fill), punir (to punish). They all follow the same pattern.
Difference between -ER and -IR verb conjugations?
-ER: je parle, nous parlons (no double s). -IR: je finis, nous finissons (double s). Both are regular, but -IR has the -iss- insertion in nous/vous forms.