Learning French is like unlocking a treasure chest filled with new cultures, friendships, and endless opportunities to say bonjour! In this article—part of our fun and easy French learning series—we’re focusing on the superstar of French verbs: the -ER verbs. These friendly, first-group verbs are simple, predictable, and perfect for beginners. By the end of this guide, you’ll add another skill to your French toolkit: confidently conjugating -ER verbs in the present tense. Let’s dive in and keep building your French fluency step by step!
What Are First-Group -ER Verbs?
French verbs are divided into three groups based on their endings:
- First group: Verbs ending in -ER (e.g., parler, aimer).
- Second group: Verbs ending in -IR (e.g., finir, choisir).
- Third group: Irregular verbs ending in -RE, -OIR, or -IR (e.g., prendre, savoir).
The first group is the most straightforward, and most verbs in French belong to this group.
The Structure of -ER Verbs
Each verb has two parts:
- The stem: This is the verb without the -ER ending (e.g., parl for parler).
- The ending: This changes according to the subject (e.g., je parle).
Here’s the pattern:
| Subject Pronoun | Ending | Example: Parler (to speak) |
| Je (I) | -e | Je parle (I speak) |
| Tu (You, informal) | -es | Tu parles (You speak) |
| Il/Elle/On (He/She/One) | -e | Il parle (He speaks) |
| Nous (We) | -ons | Nous parlons (We speak) |
| Vous (You, formal/plural) | -ez | Vous parlez (You speak) |
| Ils/Elles (They, masculine/feminine) | -ent | Ils parlent (They speak) |
Notice that the endings are consistent across all first-group verbs.
Step-by-Step Guide to Conjugation
Let’s break it down:
- Find the stem
Remove the -ER from the infinitive form. For example:- Chanter (to sing) → Stem: chant.
- Add the appropriate ending
Based on the subject, add the ending from the table above.
Example with chanter:- Je chante (I sing)
- Tu chantes (You sing)
- Il chante (He sings)
- Nous chantons (We sing)
- Vous chantez (You sing)
- Elles chantent (They sing)
- Practice out loud
Repeating aloud helps with pronunciation and memory.
Common First-Group Verbs to Practice
Here are some frequently used -ER verbs:
- Aimer (to love): Je t’aime (I love you).
- Habiter (to live): J’habite à Paris (I live in Paris).
- Regarder (to watch): Elle regarde la télévision (She watches TV).
- Étudier (to study): Nous étudions le français (We study French).
- Jouer (to play): Ils jouent au football (They play football).
Tips for Conjugating -ER Verbs
- Memorize the endings
Use flashcards or online apps to practice the six endings. Once you master them, conjugating any -ER verb becomes easy. - Practice with examples
Write simple sentences using different verbs and subjects. For example:- Je mange (I eat).
- Nous dansons (We dance).
- Be mindful of pronunciation
The endings -e, -es, and -ent are silent. For example: Je parle, tu parles, ils parlent sound the same. - Start with common verbs
Focus on verbs you’ll use daily, like manger (to eat) and parler (to speak).
Mistakes to Avoid
- Forgetting the silent endings
Don’t pronounce -ent. For example, Ils parlent is pronounced as il parl. - Mixing up subject pronouns
Always match the correct subject with its ending. For example, Tu joue is incorrect—it should be Tu joues. - Skipping practice
Consistency is key. Daily practice will make conjugation second nature.
Why Learn First-Group -ER Verbs?
Mastering these verbs unlocks your ability to communicate in French. They are versatile and appear frequently in everyday conversations. By knowing how to conjugate -ER verbs, you can confidently construct sentences about your actions, preferences, and routines.
Conversation Using -ER Verbs
Here’s a short conversation between two friends, Sophie and Lucas, demonstrating how -ER verbs are used in everyday life:
Sophie: Bonjour, Lucas! Tu parles anglais?
(Hello, Lucas! Do you speak English?)
Lucas: Oui, un peu. Mais je préfére parler français!
(Yes, a little. But I prefer to speak French!)
Sophie: D’accord. Tu regardes le match ce soir?
(Okay. Are you watching the game tonight?)
Lucas: Oui! Nous jouons au foot après le match aussi.
(Yes! We’re playing soccer after the game too.)
Sophie: Super! J’apporte les boissons.
(Great! I’ll bring the drinks.)
Lucas: Merci, Sophie! À ce soir!
(Thanks, Sophie! See you tonight!)
This simple conversation shows how common -ER verbs like parler, préférer, regarder, jouer, and apporter are used in daily exchanges.
Conclusion
Conjugating first-group -ER verbs isn’t just a skill—it’s your ticket to navigating the French-speaking world with ease! These verbs are like your best friends: reliable, straightforward, and always there when you need them. With a little practice and determination, you’ll be chatting about your daily adventures en français in no time.
Why wait? Book your free lesson with Albert Learning today and turn your French dreams into reality. Let’s get talking, laughing, and conjugating together!
