Irregular IR Verbs (1/2)
French: Cambridge International GCSE, topic 6.1.7
Verbs Like 'Partir'
There are many IR verbs that are conjugated like 'Partir' (to leave). They have irregular stems.
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.
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.
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.
1) The stem
- Remove the 'ir' from the infinitive.
- Ouvrir → ouvr
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.
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.
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.
Test yourself on Irregular IR Verbs (1/2)
How do you say 'we sleep' in French?
How do you say 'they lie' in French?
How do you say 'you open' in French?
How do you say 'they open' in French?
Comment dirais- tu 'elles tiennent' en anglais?