Regular -ER verbs are the largest group of verbs in French. Once you learn the conjugation pattern for one, you can conjugate hundreds of others automatically. They are the foundation of French verb grammar.
The -ER conjugation pattern in the present tense
Remove the -ER ending from the infinitive, then add the correct ending.
- je → -e
- tu → -es
- il / elle → -e
- nous → -ons
- vous → -ez
- ils / elles → -ent
Example with parler (to speak):
- je parle, tu parles, il parle, nous parlons, vous parlez, ils parlent
The 25 most useful regular -ER verbs
- parler = to speak
- aimer = to like / to love
- habiter = to live (in a place)
- travailler = to work
- ecouter = to listen
- regarder = to watch / to look at
- manger = to eat
- marcher = to walk
- chercher = to look for
- trouver = to find
- arriver = to arrive
- entrer = to enter
- rester = to stay
- penser = to think
- donner = to give
- demander = to ask
- appeler = to call
- commencer = to start
- continuer = to continue
- essayer = to try
- utiliser = to use
- voyager = to travel
- oublier = to forget
- chanter = to sing
- danser = to dance
Example sentences
- J’habite a Lyon. = I live in Lyon.
- Elle travaille beaucoup. = She works a lot.
- Nous ecoutons de la musique. = We are listening to music.
- Il cherche ses cles. = He is looking for his keys.
Small spelling changes
Some -ER verbs have minor spelling adjustments before certain endings:
- manger → nous mangeons (keeps the soft -g sound)
- commencer → nous commençons
- appeler → j’appelle (doubles the -l in some forms)
Final tip
Practice the -ER pattern with just three or four verbs at first. Once the pattern is natural, move through the list quickly. You will find that your vocabulary grows much faster once the conjugation is automatic.
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