Point de départ You’ve already seen infinitives that end in -er and -ir. The infinitive forms of some French verbs end in -re. © and ® 2011 Vista Higher Learning, Inc.
Many -re verbs, such as attendre (to wait), follow a regular pattern of conjugation, as shown below. © and ® 2011 Vista Higher Learning, Inc.
© and ® 2011 Vista Higher Learning, Inc.
The verb attendre means to wait or to wait for The verb attendre means to wait or to wait for. Unlike English, it does not require a preposition. © and ® 2011 Vista Higher Learning, Inc.
To form the past participle of regular -re verbs, drop the -re from the infinitive and add -u. © and ® 2011 Vista Higher Learning, Inc.
Rendre visite à means to visit a person, while visiter means to visit a place. © and ® 2011 Vista Higher Learning, Inc.
Some verbs whose infinitives end in -re are irregular. © and ® 2011 Vista Higher Learning, Inc.
© and ® 2011 Vista Higher Learning, Inc.
The past participle of the verb mettre is mis The past participle of the verb mettre is mis. Verbs derived from mettre (permettre, promettre) follow the same pattern: permis, promis. The past participle of conduire is conduit. Verbs like it follow the same pattern: construire construit; détruire détruit; produire produit; réduire réduit; traduire traduit. The past participle of rire is ri. The past participle of sourire is souri. © and ® 2011 Vista Higher Learning, Inc.
Like for the other verb groups, use present tense verb forms to give commands © and ® 2011 Vista Higher Learning, Inc.
Essayez. Complétez les phrases avec la forme Essayez! Complétez les phrases avec la forme correcte du présent du verbe. 1. Ils __________ (attendre) l’arrivée du train. 2. Nous __________ (répondre) aux questions du professeur. 3. Je __________ (sourire) quand je suis heureuse. 4. Si on __________ (construire) trop, on __________ (détruire) la nature. 5. Quand il fait froid, vous __________ (mettre) un pull. 6. Est-ce que les étudiants __________ (entendre) le professeur? attendent © and ® 2011 Vista Higher Learning, Inc.