Present indicative
French tense for a current fact, a habit or a general truth.
Allowed persons
| Pronoun | Name | Number | Code |
|---|---|---|---|
| je | First person singular | Singular | P1S |
| tu | Second person singular | Singular | P2S |
| il/elle/on | Third person singular | Singular | P3S |
| nous | First person plural | Plural | P1P |
| vous | Second person plural | Plural | P2P |
| ils/elles | Third person plural | Plural | P3P |
Rules linked to this tense
9 published rules, one per verb pattern.
Present tense of -cer verbs (commencer)
The stem is the infinitive without -er (commencer → commenc-). The endings added to it are -e, -es, -e, -ons, -ez, -ent. A spelling change applies in the first-person plural: the c takes a cedilla before o and a (commenc- → commenç-).
- nous commençons
- je commence
- tu commences
Present tense of -ger verbs (manger)
The stem is the infinitive without -er (manger → mang-). The endings added to it are -e, -es, -e, -ons, -ez, -ent. A spelling change applies in the first-person plural: an e is inserted after the g before o and a (mang- → mange-).
- nous mangeons
- je mange
- tu manges
Present tense of -yer verbs (nettoyer)
The stem is the infinitive without -er (nettoyer → nettoy-). The endings added to it are -e, -es, -e, -ons, -ez, -ent. A spelling change applies in the three singular persons and the third-person plural: the stem y becomes i (nettoy- → nettoi-).
- je nettoie
- nous nettoyons
- ils nettoient
Present tense of acheter-type verbs (e → è)
The stem is the infinitive without -er (acheter → achet-). The endings added to it are -e, -es, -e, -ons, -ez, -ent. A spelling change applies in the three singular persons and the third-person plural: the stem e becomes è (achet- → achèt-).
- j'achète
- nous achetons
- ils achètent
Present tense of double-consonant verbs (jeter)
The stem is the infinitive without -er (jeter → jet-). The endings added to it are -e, -es, -e, -ons, -ez, -ent. A spelling change applies in the three singular persons and the third-person plural: the final stem consonant is doubled (jet- → jett-).
- je jette
- nous jetons
- ils jettent
Present tense of partir-type -ir verbs
The stem is the infinitive without -ir (partir → part-). The endings added to it are -s, -s, -t, -ons, -ez, -ent. A spelling change applies in the three singular persons: the final stem consonant drops (part- → par-).
- je pars
- nous partons
- il part
Present tense of regular -er verbs
The stem is the infinitive without -er (parler → parl-). The endings added to it are -e, -es, -e, -ons, -ez, -ent. The model verb is parler (je parle, nous parlons).
- je parle
- nous parlons
- ils parlent
Present tense of second-group -ir verbs (finir)
The stem is the infinitive without -ir (finir → fin-). The endings added to it are -is, -is, -it, -issons, -issez, -issent. The model verb is finir (je finis, nous finissons).
- je finis
- nous finissons
- ils finissent
Present tense of vendre-type -re verbs
The stem is the infinitive without -re (vendre → vend-). The endings added to it are -s, -s, (none), -ons, -ez, -ent. The model verb is vendre (je vends, nous vendons).
- je vends
- nous vendons
- ils vendent