5 Essential French Verb Conjugation Charts

French verb conjugation can be a challenging but essential aspect of learning the French language. Mastering French verb conjugation is crucial to communicate effectively and accurately in French. In this article, we will explore five essential French verb conjugation charts that will help you improve your language skills.

Understanding French Verb Conjugation

French verb conjugation refers to the process of changing a verb's form to indicate tense, mood, voice, person, and number. French verbs are classified into several groups, and each group has its own conjugation pattern. The five essential French verb conjugation charts presented in this article will cover the most common verb groups and provide a comprehensive understanding of French verb conjugation.

French Verb Conjugation Chart 1: Present Tense Conjugation

The present tense conjugation chart is essential for beginners. It provides the foundation for understanding French verb conjugation. The chart includes the conjugation of regular -er, -ir, and -re verbs in the present tense.

• -er verbs (e.g., parler, manger, vivre):
  • Je: -e
  • Tu: -es
  • Il/elle/on: -e
  • Nous: -ons
  • Vous: -ez
  • Ils/elles: -ent
• -ir verbs (e.g., finir, choisir, grandir):
  • Je: -is
  • Tu: -is
  • Il/elle/on: -it
  • Nous: -issons
  • Vous: -issez
  • Ils/elles: -issent
• -re verbs (e.g., prendre, vendre, perdre):
  • Je: -s
  • Tu: -s
  • Il/elle/on: -d
  • Nous: -ons
  • Vous: -ez
  • Ils/elles: -ent

Example Sentences:

• Je parle français. (I speak French.)
• Tu manges un sandwich. (You are eating a sandwich.)
• Il écrit un livre. (He is writing a book.)

French Verb Conjugation Chart 2: Imperfect Tense Conjugation

The imperfect tense conjugation chart is used to describe ongoing or repeated actions in the past. The chart includes the conjugation of regular -er, -ir, and -re verbs in the imperfect tense.

• -er verbs (e.g., parler, manger, vivre):
  • Je: -ais
  • Tu: -ais
  • Il/elle/on: -ait
  • Nous: -ions
  • Vous: -iez
  • Ils/elles: -aient
• -ir verbs (e.g., finir, choisir, grandir):
  • Je: -issais
  • Tu: -issais
  • Il/elle/on: -issait
  • Nous: -issions
  • Vous: -issiez
  • Ils/elles: -issaient
• -re verbs (e.g., prendre, vendre, perdre):
  • Je: -ais
  • Tu: -ais
  • Il/elle/on: -ait
  • Nous: -ions
  • Vous: -iez
  • Ils/elles: -aient

Example Sentences:

• Je parlais français lorsque j'étais à l'école. (I was speaking French when I was in school.)
• Tu mangeais un sandwich tous les jours. (You used to eat a sandwich every day.)
• Il écrivait un livre pendant des heures. (He was writing a book for hours.)

French Verb Conjugation Chart 3: Future Tense Conjugation

The future tense conjugation chart is used to describe actions that will occur in the future. The chart includes the conjugation of regular -er, -ir, and -re verbs in the future tense.

• -er verbs (e.g., parler, manger, vivre):
  • Je: -ai
  • Tu: -as
  • Il/elle/on: -a
  • Nous: -ons
  • Vous: -ez
  • Ils/elles: -ont
• -ir verbs (e.g., finir, choisir, grandir):
  • Je: -irai
  • Tu: -iras
  • Il/elle/on: -ira
  • Nous: -rons
  • Vous: -rez
  • Ils/elles: -ront
• -re verbs (e.g., prendre, vendre, perdre):
  • Je: -rai
  • Tu: -ras
  • Il/elle/on: -ra
  • Nous: -rons
  • Vous: -rez
  • Ils/elles: -ront

Example Sentences:

• Je parlerai français avec mon ami demain. (I will speak French with my friend tomorrow.)
• Tu mangeras un sandwich pour déjeuner. (You will eat a sandwich for lunch.)
• Il écrira un livre sur l'histoire de France. (He will write a book about the history of France.)

French Verb Conjugation Chart 4: Conditional Tense Conjugation

The conditional tense conjugation chart is used to describe hypothetical or uncertain situations. The chart includes the conjugation of regular -er, -ir, and -re verbs in the conditional tense.

• -er verbs (e.g., parler, manger, vivre):
  • Je: -erais
  • Tu: -erais
  • Il/elle/on: -rait
  • Nous: -rions
  • Vous: -riez
  • Ils/elles: -raient
• -ir verbs (e.g., finir, choisir, grandir):
  • Je: -irais
  • Tu: -irais
  • Il/elle/on: -irait
  • Nous: -irions
  • Vous: -iriez
  • Ils/elles: -iraient
• -re verbs (e.g., prendre, vendre, perdre):
  • Je: -rais
  • Tu: -rais
  • Il/elle/on: -rait
  • Nous: -rions
  • Vous: -riez
  • Ils/elles: -raient

Example Sentences:

• Je parlerais français si j'étais à Paris. (I would speak French if I were in Paris.)
• Tu mangerais un sandwich si tu avais faim. (You would eat a sandwich if you were hungry.)
• Il écrirait un livre si il avait le temps. (He would write a book if he had the time.)

French Verb Conjugation Chart 5: Subjunctive Tense Conjugation

The subjunctive tense conjugation chart is used to describe uncertain or doubtful situations. The chart includes the conjugation of regular -er, -ir, and -re verbs in the subjunctive tense.

• -er verbs (e.g., parler, manger, vivre):
  • Que je: -e
  • Que tu: -es
  • Qu'il/elle/on: -e
  • Que nous: -ions
  • Que vous: -iez
  • Qu'ils/elles: -ent
• -ir verbs (e.g., finir, choisir, grandir):
  • Que je: -isse
  • Que tu: -isses
  • Qu'il/elle/on: -isse
  • Que nous: -issions
  • Que vous: -issiez
  • Qu'ils/elles: -issent
• -re verbs (e.g., prendre, vendre, perdre):
  • Que je: -sse
  • Que tu: -sses
  • Qu'il/elle/on: -sse
  • Que nous: -ssions
  • Que vous: -ssiez
  • Qu'ils/elles: -ssent

Example Sentences:

• Il faut que je parle français pour travailler en France. (I must speak French to work in France.)
• Il est nécessaire que tu manges un sandwich pour avoir de l'énergie. (It is necessary for you to eat a sandwich to have energy.)
• Il est important qu'il écrive un livre pour partager ses idées. (It is important for him to write a book to share his ideas.)

French Verb Conjugation Image Gallery

Mastering French verb conjugation takes time and practice. The five essential French verb conjugation charts presented in this article will help you improve your language skills and become more confident in your ability to communicate in French. Remember to practice regularly and use online resources to supplement your learning. With dedication and persistence, you will become proficient in French verb conjugation and be able to express yourself effectively in French.

We hope this article has been helpful in your French learning journey. If you have any questions or comments, please leave them below.