French Tenses

YR10 containing Verb Present Passé Composé Imparfait Futur Proche Futur Simple

When do you use the present tense in French?

To talk about what is happening now or regularly.

What are the endings for regular -ER verbs in the present tense?

e, es, e, ons, ez, ent

What are the endings for regular -IR verbs in the present tense?

is, is, it, issons, issez, issent

What are the endings for regular -RE verbs in the present tense?

s, s, (nothing), ons, ez, ent

Give an example of “parler” in the present tense.

Je parle – I speak / I am speaking

Give an example of “finir” in the present tense.

Je finis – I finish / I am finishing

Give an example of “vendre” in the present tense.

Je vends – I sell / I am selling

When do you use the perfect tense in French?

To talk about what has happened or what you did (completed actions).

What is the formula for the perfect tense?

Avoir or être (in present) + past participle

Give an example using “parler” in the perfect tense.

J’ai parlé – I spoke / I have spoken

Give an example using “aller” in the perfect tense.

Je suis allé(e) – I went

What are the avoir auxiliary forms?

J’ai, tu as, il a, nous avons, vous avez, ils ont

What are the être auxiliary forms?

Je suis, tu es, il est, nous sommes, vous êtes, ils sont

Which verbs use être in the perfect tense?

Mostly movement verbs (Dr & Mrs Vandertramp) and reflexive verbs

When do you use the imperfect tense in French?

To describe what used to happen or what was happening.

What is the formula for the imperfect tense?

Take the “nous” form of the present, remove -ons, and add endings.

What are the imperfect endings?

ais, ais, ait, ions, iez, aient

Give an example using “parler” in the imperfect.

Je parlais – I was speaking / I used to speak

Give an example using “avoir” in the imperfect.

J’avais – I had / I used to have

When do you use the near future tense?

To talk about what is going to happen soon.

What is the formula for the near future tense?

Aller (in present) + infinitive

Give an example using “parler” in the near future.

Je vais parler – I am going to speak

Give an example using “faire” in the near future.

Je vais faire – I am going to do

When do you use the simple future tense?

To talk about what will happen.

What is the formula for the simple future tense?

Infinitive + endings (ai, as, a, ons, ez, ont)

Give an example using “parler” in the simple future.

Je parlerai – I will speak

Give an example using “avoir” in the simple future.

J’aurai – I will have

Give an example using “être” in the simple future.

Je serai – I will be

Être – present / past / imperfect / near future / future simple

Je suis / J’ai été / J’étais / Je vais être / Je serai

Avoir – present / past / imperfect / near future / future simple

J’ai / J’ai eu / J’avais / Je vais avoir / J’aurai

Aller – present / past / imperfect / near future / future simple

Je vais / Je suis allé(e) / J’allais / Je vais aller / J’irai

Faire – present / past / imperfect / near future / future simple

Je fais / J’ai fait / Je faisais / Je vais faire / Je ferai