14.1.9

Stem Changing Verbs

Test yourself

Stem Changing Verbs

Some verbs change their stem in the present tense.

Illustrative background for Verbs that end in 'ayer'Illustrative background for Verbs that end in 'ayer' ?? "content

Verbs that end in 'ayer'

  • For verbs that end in 'ayer' the stem changes in all forms except the 'nous and 'vous' forms.
  • The 'y' changes to an 'i'.
Illustrative background for Payer - to payIllustrative background for Payer - to pay ?? "content

Payer - to pay

  • Je paie - I pay.
  • Tu paies - you pay.
  • Il/elle/on paie - he/she/one pays
  • Nous payons - we pay.
  • Vous payez - you pay.
  • Ils/elles paient - they pay.
Illustrative background for Verbs that end in 'eler' and 'eter'Illustrative background for Verbs that end in 'eler' and 'eter' ?? "content

Verbs that end in 'eler' and 'eter'

  • With verbs that end in 'eler' or 'eter' the 'l' or the 't' become double when conjugated.
  • In the present tense this happens in all forms except the 'nous' and 'vous' forms.
Illustrative background for S'appeler - to be calledIllustrative background for S'appeler - to be called ?? "content

S'appeler - to be called

  • Je m'appelle - I am called.
  • Tu t'appelles - you are called.
  • Il/elle/on s'appelle - he/she/one is called.
  • Nous nous appelons - we are called.
  • Vous vous appelez - you are called.
  • Ils/elles s'appellent - they are called.
Illustrative background for Verbs that end in e_erIllustrative background for Verbs that end in e_er ?? "content

Verbs that end in e_er

  • The '_' represents a consonante, like 'v' for example in the verb 'lever'.
  • For any verb that ends like this, the 'e' that comes before the consonant changes to 'è'.
  • This happens in all forms except the 'nous' and 'vous' forms.
Illustrative background for Se lever - to get upIllustrative background for Se lever - to get up ?? "content

Se lever - to get up

  • Je me lève - I get up.
  • Tu te lèves - you get up.
  • Il/elle/on se lève - he/she/one gets up.
  • Nous nous levons - we get up.
  • Vous vous levez - you get up.
  • Ils/elles se lèvent - they get up.

Stem Changing Verbs

Some verbs change their stem in the present tense.

Illustrative background for Verbs that end in 'é_er'Illustrative background for Verbs that end in 'é_er' ?? "content

Verbs that end in 'é_er'

  • For verbs that end in 'é_er', the ' _ ' represents a consonant.
  • The 'é' changes to an 'è' in all forms except the 'nous' and 'vous' forms.
Illustrative background for Compléter - to completeIllustrative background for Compléter - to complete ?? "content

Compléter - to complete

  • Je complète - I complete.
  • Tu complètes - you complete.
  • Il/elle/on complète - he/she/one completes.
  • Nous complétons - we complete.
  • Vous complétez - you complete.
  • Ils/elles complètent - they complete.
Illustrative background for Verbs that end in 'oyer' Illustrative background for Verbs that end in 'oyer'  ?? "content

Verbs that end in 'oyer'

  • With verbs that end in 'oyer', the 'y' changes to an 'i'.
  • In the present tense this happens in all forms except the 'nous' and 'vous' forms.
Illustrative background for Envoyer - to sendIllustrative background for Envoyer - to send ?? "content

Envoyer - to send

  • J'envoie - I send.
  • Tu envoies - you send.
  • Il/elle/on envoie - he/she/one sends.
  • Nous envoyons - we send.
  • Vous envoyez - you send.
  • Ils/elles envoient - they send.
Illustrative background for Verbs that end in uyerIllustrative background for Verbs that end in uyer ?? "content

Verbs that end in uyer

  • With verbs that end in 'uyer', the 'y' changes to an 'i'.
  • In the present tense this happens in all forms except the 'nous' and 'vous' forms.
Illustrative background for Ennuyer - to annoy, boreIllustrative background for Ennuyer - to annoy, bore ?? "content

Ennuyer - to annoy, bore

  • J'ennuie - I annoy.
  • Tu ennuies - you annoy.
  • Il/elle/on ennuie - he/she/one annoys.
  • Nous ennuyons - we annoy.
  • Vous ennuyez - you annoy.
  • Ils/elles ennuient - they annoy.

Jump to other topics

1Phonics/Alphabet/Spellings

1.1Alphabet & Accents

2Family & Relationships

3Home

4Customs & Traditions in French Speaking Countries

5Lifestyle

6Sports & Games

7Health

8School

9Future Plans

10Leisure, Free Time & Media

11Town & Region

12Holidays

13Global Issues

14Grammar

14.1Present Tense

14.2Perfect Tense

14.3Imperfect Tense

14.4Future Tense

14.5Conditional Tense

14.6Passive

14.7Imperative

15Other Grammar

Unlock your full potential with Seneca Premium

  • Unlimited access to 10,000+ open-ended exam questions

  • Mini-mock exams based on your study history

  • Unlock 800+ premium courses & e-books

Get started with Seneca Premium