6.1.7

Irregular IR Verbs (1/2)

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Verbs Like 'Partir'

There are many IR verbs that are conjugated like 'Partir' (to leave). They have irregular stems.

Illustrative background for 1) The stemIllustrative background for 1) The stem ?? "content

1) The stem

  • For 'je' et 'tu' take 'partir', for example, and remove the 'ir'.
  • Then remove the 't'.
    • Partir → par.
  • For 'il/elle/on', 'nous', 'vous', 'ils/elles', you keep the 't'.
    • The stem is part.
Illustrative background for 2) PartirIllustrative background for 2) Partir ?? "content

2) Partir

  • Je pars - I leave.
  • Tu pars - you (singular) leave.
  • Il/elle/on part - he/she/one leaves.
  • Nous partons - we leave.
  • Vous partez - you (plural/formal) leave.
  • Ils/elles partent - they leave.
Illustrative background for 3) Verbs that follow this patternIllustrative background for 3) Verbs that follow this pattern ?? "content

3) Verbs that follow this pattern

  • Dormir - to sleep.
  • Sortir - to go out.
  • Sentir - to feel.
  • Mentir - to lie.
  • Servir - to serve
  • Derivatives of these verbs follow the same pattern, for example 'consentir' (to consent).

Verbs That End in 'vrir'

Verbs that end in 'vrir' are conjugated like regular 'er' verbs.

Illustrative background for 1) The stemIllustrative background for 1) The stem ?? "content

1) The stem

  • Remove the 'ir' from the infinitive.
  • Ouvrir → ouvr
Illustrative background for 2) Add the 'er' present tense endingsIllustrative background for 2) Add the 'er' present tense endings ?? "content

2) Add the 'er' present tense endings

  • J'ouvre - I open.
  • Tu ouvres - you (singular) open.
  • Il/elle/on ouvre - he/she/one opens.
  • Nous ouvrons - we open.
  • Vous ouvrez - you (plural/formal) open.
  • Ils/elles ouvrent - they open.

Venir, Tenir

The verbs, 'venir' and 'tenir' are irregular but follow the same pattern.

Illustrative background for Venir - to comeIllustrative background for Venir - to come ?? "content

Venir - to come

  • Je viens - I come.
  • Tu viens - you (singular) come.
  • Il/elle/on vient - he/she/one comes.
  • Nous venons - we come.
  • Vous venez - you (plural/formal) come.
  • Ils/elles viennent - they come.
Illustrative background for Tenir - to holdIllustrative background for Tenir - to hold ?? "content

Tenir - to hold

  • Je tiens - I hold.
  • Tu tiens - you (singular) hold.
  • Il/elle/on tient - he/she/one holds.
  • Nous tenons - we hold.
  • Vous tenez - you (plural/formal) hold.
  • Ils/elles tiennent - they hold.

Jump to other topics

1Everyday Activities

2Personal & Social Life

3The World Around Us

4The World of Work

5The International World

6Common Tenses

7Advanced Tenses

8Extra Grammar

8.1Articles

8.2The Passive Voice

8.3Pronouns

8.4Asking Questions

8.5Nouns

8.6Prepositions

8.7Adverbs

8.8Adjectives

8.9Negative

8.10Conjunctions

8.11Miscellaneous

8.12Verbs

8.13Numbers

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