Type 1 & 2 -IR verbs

Type 1:-IR verbs like finir(the regular -ir group)The rule:

If the nous form ends in -issons, it is usually this type.

Example:

  • finir → nous finissons

  • choisir → nous choisissons

Common Type 1 -IR verbs:

Verb

Meaning

nous form

finir

to finish

nous finissons

choisir

to choose

nous choisissons

réussir

to succeed

nous réussissons

grandir

to grow up

nous grandissons

réfléchir

to think/reflect

nous réfléchissons

remplir

to fill

nous remplissons

applaudir

to applaud

nous applaudissons

obéir

to obey

nous obéissons

désobéir

to disobey

nous désobéissons

rougir

to blush/turn red

nous rougissons

vieillir

to grow old

nous vieillissons

grossir

to gain weight

nous grossissons

maigrir

to lose weight

nous maigrissons

Pattern:

finir → fin + issons
choisir → chois + issons

Type 2:-IR verbs like partir(no -issons)

These verbs are often called irregular -ir verbs because they don't follow the regular pattern.

They usually:

  • drop the -ir in the singular forms

  • keep the full stem in plural forms

Example:

partir

Person

Form

je

pars

tu

pars

il/elle

part

nous

partons

vous

partez

ils

partent

Common Type 2 -IR verbs:Movement

Verb

Meaning

nous form

partir

to leave

nous partons

sortir

to go out

nous sortons

dormir

to sleep

nous dormons

servir

to serve

nous servons

sentir

to feel/smell

nous sentons

mentir

to lie

nous mentons

courir

to run

nous courons

Other common ones:

Verb

Meaning

venir*

to come

tenir*

to hold

ouvrir*

to open

offrir*

to offer

couvrir*

to cover

*These are special cases. They end in -ir but behave differently.

For example:

venir

  • je viens

  • tu viens

  • il vient

  • nous venons

  • vous venez

  • ils viennent

It does not behave like partir or finir.

The easiest test

Take the verb and make the nous form:

If you get-issons→ Type 1

✅ finir → nous finissons
✅ choisir → nous choisissons
✅ réfléchir → nous réfléchissons

If you don't → probably Type 2 or irregular

✅ partir → nous partons
✅ dormir → nous dormons
✅ sortir → nous sortons

For speaking, memorize these groups:Regular -IR (Type 1)

  • finir

  • choisir

  • réussir

  • réfléchir

  • grandir

Common irregular -IR (Type 2)

  • partir

  • sortir

  • dormir

  • venir

  • tenir

  • sentir

  • servir

  • ouvrir

A very useful shortcut: if an -ir verb sounds like an action of changing state (finishing, growing, choosing, succeeding), it is often Type 1. If it involves movement/body actions (leaving, sleeping, coming, feeling), it is often Type 2 — but always check.