A-level French/Verbs

A verb is a word used to describe something that happened, such as an action or state of being. Infinitive The infinite is a verb without a subject or tense. In English, it is usually "to _____". In French, all infinitives end in -er, -ir, or -re. parler (to talk) finir (to finish) entendre (to hear) Most verbs are -er verbs. Many verbs that end in -er end in -ate in English (for example, the verb to donate is "donner"). Many verbs that end in -ir end in -ish in English (for example, the verb finir means to finish). The infinitive is used in certain phrases in both English and French. Conjugating Verbs To conjugate a verb means to change it so it can be used with a particular tense and subject. In French, most verbs are conjugated by taking off the -er, -ir, and -re and adding certain endings depending on the tense. However, some verbs do not work like and are irregular verbs. Common irregular verbs Here are twenty verbs that are used a lot, but are not formed like regular -er, -ir, or -re verbs: aller (to go) avoir (to have) boire (to drink) connaître (to know) courir (to run) devoir (to have to) dire (to say, to tell) dormir (to sleep) écrire (to write) être (to be) faire (to do, to make) lire (to read) mentir (to lie) mettre (to put, to turn on) mourir (to die) pouvoir (to be able to, can, may) prendre (to take) recevoir (to receive) savoir (to know) venir (to come) voir (to see) vouloir (to want, to wish)