What is the Present Tense of Avoir?
Avoir (to have) is another foundational French verb with an irregular conjugation in present tense. It is used for possession and as an auxiliary verb in compound tenses.
Avoir in present tense conjugates as: j'ai, tu as, il/elle/on a, nous avons, vous avez, ils/elles ont — each person takes a unique form.
Step-by-step worked examples
J' __ un chat. (I have a cat.)
J'ai = I have (j' form of avoir) Answer: J'ai un chat.
Vous __ des enfants? (Do you have children?)
Vous avez = you have (formal/plural) Answer: Vous avez des enfants?
Ils __ faim. (They are hungry / have hunger.)
Ils ont = they have (ils form) Answer: Ils ont faim.
Flashcards
Quick quiz
Q1.J' __ un livre.
Q2.Nous __ une maison.
Q3.Tu __ des frères?
Q4.Elles __ faim.
The full card deck, worked steps and AI-tutor support for “What is the Present Tense of Avoir?” are in Notek — study by hand before your exam.
Common mistakes
Using ai for all persons. — Correct: Avoir changes: j'ai, tu as, il a, nous avons, vous avez, ils ont.
Confusing avoir with être. — Correct: Avoir = to have; être = to be. Both are irregular.
Saying a for the je form. — Correct: The je form is ai, not a.
Forgetting avoir as auxiliary in passé composé. — Correct: Avoir is crucial: J'ai mangé means I have eaten or I ate.
FAQ
What is avoir in present tense?
Avoir is to have; in present tense it conjugates as j'ai, tu as, il/elle/on a, nous avons, vous avez, ils/elles ont.
Is avoir regular or irregular?
Avoir is irregular. It does not follow standard -ER verb patterns.
What is the nous form of avoir?
Nous avons (we have).
How is avoir used?
To express possession (J'ai un chat) or hunger/age/need (J'ai faim, J'ai 25 ans) and as auxiliary in compound past tense.