French Grammar
Tenses & Moods
15 articlesVerb Groups
4 articlesVerb Forms
4 articlesGrammar Structures
4 articlesPrésent de l’indicatifA1Present Indicative
The present indicative (présent de l’indicatif) is used to describe current actions, habits, general truths, or states, equivalent to English simple present or present continuous.
- Je parle avec un client.
- I talk with a client.
- Les lundis nous avons une réunion d'équipe.
- On mondays we have a team meeting.
The present indicative expresses actions or states happening now, habitual actions, or general facts.
Formation of Present Indicative
1st Group (-er verbs)
| Pronoun | Ending | parler (to speak) | Translation |
|---|---|---|---|
| je | -e | je parle | I speak |
| tu | -es | tu parles | you speak |
| il/elle/on | -e | il parle | he/she/one speaks |
| nous | -ons | nous parlons | we speak |
| vous | -ez | vous parlez | you speak (pl.) |
| ils/elles | -ent | ils parlent | they speak |
2nd Group (-ir verbs)
| Pronoun | Ending | finir (to finish) | Translation |
|---|---|---|---|
| je | -is | je finis | I finish |
| tu | -is | tu finis | you finish |
| il/elle/on | -it | il finit | he/she/one finishes |
| nous | -issons | nous finissons | we finish |
| vous | -issez | vous finissez | you finish (pl.) |
| ils/elles | -issent | ils finissent | they finish |
3rd Group (irregular verbs)
| Pronoun | Ending | prendre (to take) | pouvoir (can) | Translation |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| je | -s / -x | je prends | je peux | I take, I can |
| tu | -s / -x | tu prends | tu peux | you take, you can |
| il/elle/on | -t / -d | il prend | il peut | he/she/one takes, can |
| nous | -ons | nous prenons | nous pouvons | we take, we can |
| vous | -ez | vous prenez | vous pouvez | you take, you can (pl.) |
| ils/elles | -ent | ils prennent | ils peuvent | they take, they can |
As usual, 3rd group verbs (être, avoir, aller, prendre, pouvoir...) have irregular forms to memorize. 3rd group verbs are used constantly in daily speech. Knowing their conjugation is essential for everyday French.
Examples
- Je mange tous les jours à 12h30.
- I eat everyday at 12:30
- Je finis l'audit aujourd’hui.
- I am finishing the audit today.
- Nous ouvrons les portes à 8h00.
- We open the doors at 8:00.
Example of Dialogue
Léa: Tu écris quelque chose ?
Are you writing something?
Marc: Oui, je prépare la réunion.
Yes, I’m preparing the meeting.
Léa: La réunion qui commence à 15h00 ?
The meeting that starts at 3:00 PM?
Marc: Oui, c’est ça.
Yes, that’s it.