Introduction to Conjugating First Group Verbs in Present Tense

• Understanding regular verbs in French.

• Three groups of French verbs: ER, IR (regular) and OI, RE (irregular).

Regular ER Verbs

• Defining regular verbs: Verbs that end in ER, except for "aller."

• Infinitive verb: The base form of the verb before conjugation (e.g., "to eat" in English).

• Infinitive examples: In French, verbs like "manger" (to eat), "chanter" (to sing).

Conjugation Process

1. Identify the verb (infinitive): Example - "chanter" (to sing).

2. Remove the ER to find the stem:

   • Stem of "chanter" is "chant."

3. Add the appropriate endings based on the subject pronoun:

   • je: chante (e)

   • tu: chantes (es)

   • il/elle/on: chante (e)

   • nous: chantons (ons)

   • vous: chantez (ez)

   • ils/elles: chantent (ent)

Understanding Present Tense

• Present tense conveys actions happening now: "I sing", "you sing", "he sings", etc.

• French does not use continuous forms like "I am singing"; it reverts to simple forms.

Examples of Conjugation

• "je chante" = I sing (note pronunciation).

• Continuing with examples:

  • il chante = he sings

  • nous chantons = we sing

  • vous chantez = you (plural/formal) sing

  • ils chantent = they sing

Practice with Other Verbs

• Example: Verb "regarder" (to watch).

  • Conjugation: "nous regardons" (we watch).

Exceptions to Regular Conjugation

• Verbs ending in G, E, R: Keep the silent "e" in "nous").

  • Example: "manger"

  • Conjugation:

    • je mange, tu manges, il mange, nous mangeons, vous mangez, ils mangent.

• Verbs ending in C, E, R: Change to preserve soft C sound.

  • Example: "commencer" (to begin).

  • Conjugation: nous commençons.

Conclusion

• To conjugate ER verbs:

  • Drop the ER, add appropriate endings.

• Remember special cases for "manger" and "commencer."

• Additional resources available at learnfrenchwithalexa.com.

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