Regular -ir verbs follow a specific pattern in the present tense. You remove the -ir ending and add new endings for each subject pronoun. This pattern is consistent across most -ir verbs, making it easier to learn.

To conjugate, start with the infinitive, remove -ir, and add the right ending. For example, with finir (to finish), you get: je finis, tu finis, il finit, nous finissons, vous finissez, ils finissent.

-Ir Verb Conjugation Patterns

Regular Conjugation Pattern

Regular -ir verbs follow a specific pattern of conjugation in the present tense, which involves removing the -ir ending from the infinitive and adding the appropriate endings for each subject pronoun
The conjugation endings for regular -ir verbs in the present tense are: -is, -is, -it, -issons, -issez, -issent
This pattern applies to the majority of -ir verbs, making it easier to learn and remember the conjugations for a large number of verbs

Consistency Across Verbs

The conjugation pattern for regular -ir verbs in the present tense is consistent across all verbs, with the exception of a few irregular verbs
Once you learn the pattern and endings, you can apply them to any regular -ir verb, such as finir (to finish), choisir (to choose), or remplir (to fill)
This consistency allows learners to quickly expand their ability to use -ir verbs in various contexts and sentences

Present Tense Conjugation of -Ir Verbs

Conjugation Process

To conjugate a regular -ir verb in the present tense, start with the infinitive form of the verb and remove the -ir ending
Add the appropriate ending to the stem of the verb based on the subject pronoun: je -is, tu -is, il/elle/on -it, nous -issons, vous -issez, ils/elles -issent
For example, to conjugate the verb finir (to finish), you would remove the -ir ending, leaving the stem "fin-", and then add the appropriate endings: je finis, tu finis, il/elle/on finit, nous finissons, vous finissez, ils/elles finissent

Examples of Conjugated -Ir Verbs

Choisir (to choose): je choisis, tu choisis, il/elle/on choisit, nous choisissons, vous choisissez, ils/elles choisissent
Remplir (to fill): je remplis, tu remplis, il/elle/on remplit, nous remplissons, vous remplissez, ils/elles remplissent
Grandir (to grow): je grandis, tu grandis, il/elle/on grandit, nous grandissons, vous grandissez, ils/elles grandissent
Réussir (to succeed): je réussis, tu réussis, il/elle/on réussit, nous réussissons, vous réussissez, ils/elles réussissent

-Ir vs -Er Verb Conjugations

Similarities Between -Ir and -Er Verbs

Both -ir and -er verbs are considered regular verbs in French, meaning they follow a consistent pattern of conjugation in the present tense
Despite the differences in endings, both -ir and -er verbs follow a similar process of removing the infinitive ending and adding the appropriate endings for each subject pronoun
Learning the patterns for both -ir and -er verbs is essential for mastering French conjugation and being able to communicate effectively in the present tense

Differences in Conjugation Endings

The main difference between -ir and -er verb conjugations is the set of endings used for each subject pronoun
-er verbs use the following endings: -e, -es, -e, -ons, -ez, -ent
-ir verbs use the following endings: -is, -is, -it, -issons, -issez, -issent
The -ir verb conjugation pattern includes an additional -iss- between the stem and the ending for the nous and vous forms, which is not present in -er verb conjugations