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0:00
Learning verbs is always difficult! In this video, we will review 50 irregular verbs widely used in French in the present and past tense. Unfortunately, even intermediate and advanced students sometimes make mistakes. So, we will also see a lot of examples because verbs are the basis for constructing your sentences. In addition, I have prepared a free PDF with a summary of all the verbs that we are going to see together and you can download it using the link that I leave you in the description.
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But you can do that afterwards. First, don't forget to subscribe and let's get started. Our first verb is “BE”. It is the most important verb in French because it is used to describe states or characteristics. Let's conjugate this very irregular verb.
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Let's look at some example sentences: You are very good at mathematics. We are ready to start the project. They are on vacation. In the past tense, it is conjugated with the auxiliary verb “AVOIR” and the past participle: So, we will have sentences like that. He was very kind to us. She was sick last week.
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It is used a lot to indicate possession. This is its conjugation.
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For example: We have a lot of work. They have a big house. In the past tense, it is conjugated with the auxiliary verb “AVOIR” and the past participle: For example: I got a nice gift for my birthday. You were lucky.
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It's a verb to talk about travel.
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For example: I go to school now. They are going on vacation. We use it to form the near future. The near future is formed with the verb “ALLER” conjugated in the present indicative, followed by the main verb in the infinitive. For example: I am going to eat at a restaurant this evening. We are going to visit Paris next week. Attention ! In the past tense, it is conjugated with the auxiliary verb “ÊTRE”, but its past participle is easy. For example: I went to Paris last year.
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You didn't go to the appointment. We continue with the verb “FAIRE”.
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It is a very important verb because it is extremely versatile and used in a wide variety of contexts. Here are some examples: It is very cold today. We exercise three times a week. You clean on Saturday. They cook. In the past tense, it is conjugated with the auxiliary “AVOIR” and the past participle: I did lots of things during the holidays. The fridge is empty because we haven't done the shopping.
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In fact, it is a verb of the 2nd group, but it is important to know the verbs of the 2nd group too.
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Here are some examples: I choose a film for this evening. They always choose elegant clothes. The past participle is: For example: I chose to leave early. She chose a beautiful dress for the evening.
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It means to hate forcefully.
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For example: I hate traffic jams, especially in the morning. We hate speech full of prejudice. The past participle is: For example: I hated his too violent attitude. He hated his ex-wife until she died.
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It is a verb used to talk about knowledge of people, places or things.
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For example: You know my brother. He came to your birthday. We know the best restaurants in the area. The past participle is: For example: He has had difficult times this year. We knew this neighborhood before it was renovated.
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It is a verb used to talk about knowledge or skills.
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For example: I have known how to play tennis since I was a child. They know exactly what they want for their project. The past participle is: For example: She was able to answer all the questions on the exam. We were able to find a solution.
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It is a verb used to talk about leaving a place.
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For example: I leave early to be on time. They go to the mountains every winter. In the past tense, it is conjugated with the auxiliary “ÊTRE” and the past participle: For example: I left before the party finished. He left in a hurry, without saying anything.
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To speak of a movement outwards.
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For example: You often go out with your colleagues on Friday evenings. They take their things out of the car. Be careful because in the past tense, the verb “GET OUT” generally uses the auxiliary verb “ÊTRE” and the past participle: For example: We left the meeting late. But when there is a direct object, it uses the auxiliary verb “AVOIR”. For example: He took a file out of his bag to present it to the client. “A folder” is a direct object.
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To talk about sleep.
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For example: She often sleeps on the couch after work. We sleep in a tent when we go camping. The past participle is: For example: Did you sleep in a 5-star hotel? You slept soundly despite the noise.
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To talk about the creation of texts.
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For example: He writes a message to his mother every day. I write articles on my site every week. Speaking of which, don't forget to subscribe to my free newsletter. The link is in the description. The past participle is: For example: They wrote a wonderful song. The author wrote this story in a month?
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To indicate that something is pleasant to someone.
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For example: Paul likes Sophie because she is beautiful and intelligent. Do you like this video? Do you like it? If so, give me a like to motivate me to do even more. And the past participle is: For example: I liked him from the start. We really liked this kind of music during the concert.
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Read a book for example.
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For example: I am reading an exciting book at the moment. They read articles online every morning. The past participle is: For example: They read 10 books this year. She read this novel in just one day.
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To say means to express something in words. Here is its conjugation:
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For example: I always tell the truth. They say the show is great. The past participle is: For example: You said you would bring wine. We said goodbye before leaving.
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It means finding a solution to a problem or difficulty.
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For example: I solve the problem using calculations. They resolve this difficult situation calmly. The past participle is: For example: We solved the Internet connection problem. I resolved the conflict.
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It means putting together fabrics or materials using a needle and thread.
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For example: I sew buttons on my shirt. She sews clothes for her children. The past participle is: For example: We sewed her a magnificent dress for the wedding. You sewed decorations for the birthday party.
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It means to end something, usually a relationship, contract or bond.
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For example: I'm breaking up with you because I don't love you anymore. They are breaking their contract with this company. The past participle is: For example: She broke up with her boyfriend. We broke up our relationship after many disagreements.
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It is used in many contexts, but generally it means "to place in a place."
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For example: I always wear a sweater when it's cold. I add a little salt to give flavor. The past participle is: For example: I put my phone in my bag before leaving. We put on nice shoes.
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It means to strike with force or to win a fight.
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For example: I beat eggs to make an omelette. You always beat everyone at board games. The past participle is: For example: He beat the world champion. He didn't break his record.
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It means taking a seat on a surface, usually a seat.
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It's funny because there is a second possible conjugation. Here it is:
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For example: I sit next to you. They sit on the couch to watch a movie. The past participle is: and in the past perfect, it uses the auxiliary verb "ÊTRE" like all pronominal verbs. For example: She sat in the shade to read her book. We sat in the front row.
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It means overcoming an obstacle or winning against an opponent.
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For example: I overcome my fears over time. This candidate always defeats his opponents in debates. The past participle is: For example: He overcame the illness after a long fight. The superhero has defeated the monster.
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It is a verb that means to exchange something for money.
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For example: I sell my creations at local markets. They sell fresh produce at the market. The past participle is: For example: He sold his car to buy a new one. We sold our house.
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It is staying in a place before someone or something arrives.
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For example: I am waiting for the bus at the stop. They are waiting for their turn to enter the cinema. The past participle is: For example: She waited for her package all day. You waited for two hours at the airport for your flight.
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It is a verb used to indicate the action of grabbing, catching or choosing.
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For example: I take the bus every morning to go to work. They have coffee after lunch. The past participle is: For example: Did you take your umbrella? We made an important decision yesterday.
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It means applying paint to a surface.
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For example: I paint a picture. They paint the walls of their house. The past participle is: For example: We painted the room blue. I painted the door to our apartment.
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It is the synonym of “find”.
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For example: I'm meeting my friends at the restaurant this evening. The players join the team at the stadium. The past participle is: For example: He joined his family for Christmas dinner. Fabrice and Daniel joined Lucas at the cinema.
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It means being forced to do something.
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For example: I have to study for my exam. Do you have to finish this project before the end of the week? The past participle is: She had to work all night. Did you have to wait a long time to get in?
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It means getting something from someone or welcoming people.
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For example: I receive a lot of messages from my boss. They are receiving their guests at home this evening. The past participle is: For example: She received an important letter this morning. The director received the employees.
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It is having the ability or authorization to do something.
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For example: Can you help me carry these suitcases? Children can play outside. The past participle is: She was able to attend the meeting. Were you able to find a solution to this problem?
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It is the synonym of desire. It is intending to do something.
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For example : You want to learn French and you've come to the right place. They want to discover France this summer. The past participle is: We wanted to buy this book for Léa. She wanted to organize a surprise.
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This verb means to obtain something by effort or by purchase.
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For example: I learn new skills every day. They acquire great wealth through their business. The past participle is: For example: This footballer has acquired an international reputation. They acquired this apartment at a very low price.
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It is the opposite of the verb “GO”.
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For example: Are you coming with us tonight? They come from the United States. In the past tense, it is conjugated with the auxiliary verb “ÊTRE” and the past participle: Look. I came to see you to make peace. You came early. For what ?
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It means to remember.
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For example: I remember my first beach vacation. They remember this day very well. In the past tense, it is conjugated with the auxiliary verb "ÊTRE", because it is a pronominal verb, and the past participle: For example: She remembered her birthday at the last minute. We reminisced about when we were kids.
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It is to be useful for something or to offer something.
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For example: A corkscrew is used to open a bottle of wine. The restaurant serves wine with meals. The past participle is: For example: He served a delicious dessert. We served all the guests before settling in.
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It is the opposite of CLOSE.
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For example: I open the door to let you in. They are opening a new store downtown. The past participle is: For example: She opened the window because the weather is nice. He opened his presents.
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It means to give something as a gift or offer a service.
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For example: I give my sister a gift for her birthday. They offer a discount for new customers. The past participle is: For example: He gave his wife a beautiful watch. The bartender offered us a welcome cocktail.
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This means harvesting fruits, flowers or other natural elements.
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For example: I pick flowers in the garden. They pick apples to make compote. The past participle is: For example: She picked roses. We picked fresh fruit.
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This is when you move quickly using your legs.
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For example: You run faster than me. It's safe! We run in the park every day. The past participle is: For example: He ran the last marathon. Why did you run in the rain?
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This verb is used to talk about visual perception.
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For example: I often see birds in this park. Do you see your friends often? The past participle is: For example: She saw a great movie. Have you ever seen the Eiffel Tower?
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It can be a synonym for the verb “THINK”. It also means having the conviction that something is true.
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For example: Do you think it will rain tomorrow? He believes in God. The past participle is: For example: He thought we were together. We believed this story.
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It’s removing something from a place.
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For example: I extract important information from this text. They extract oil. The past participle is: For example: She extracted the data from this site. We extracted the data from the report.
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It is to exist, to be alive or to lead an existence in a certain environment.
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For example: Marie has lived in Paris for five years. Do you live in a house? The past participle is: For example: She lived in several countries before settling here. We had a wonderful time during our vacation.
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It is giving an answer to a question or request.
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For example: I always answer all my emails. Are you answering the teacher's question? The past participle is: For example: She answered the question precisely. We responded to the invitation.
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It means no longer having what you had. It’s also the opposite of winning.
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For example: I always lose my keys! You always lose at this game. The past participle is: For example: She lost her phone in the subway. We lost internet connection for a while.
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This is when you consume a liquid.
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For example: I drink a lot of water when I exercise. Do you drink coffee in the morning? The past participle is: For example: We drank a glass of French wine. He drank his hot chocolate this morning.
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It means coming into the world.
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In the past tense, it is conjugated with the auxiliary verb “ÊTRE” and the past participle: For example: She was born in Paris. We were born in the 90s. And the opposite of being born is dying. This is its conjugation.
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For example: I'm starving. They die laughing at every joke. In the past tense, it is conjugated with the auxiliary verb “ÊTRE” and the past participle: For example: He died in an accident last year. They died as heroes during the war.
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It means to escape, to leave quickly in the face of danger or a problem.
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For example: You run away when people ask you personal questions. He runs away when he sees a spider. The past participle is: For example: She fled her country because of the war. We fled the crowds to find a quiet place.
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It means expressing amusement through sounds.
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For example: I always laugh at this comedian's jokes. All the friends are laughing around the table. The past participle is: For example: We laughed a lot at the show on Sunday. He laughed throughout the evening. There we have seen 50 irregular verbs. Don't hesitate to watch this video again to review all these verbs that are so important when speaking in French. And don't forget that in the description, I leave you a link to download a PDF
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with the conjugation of these 50 verbs in the main tenses. If you wish, you can also support my work by becoming a SUPER student and you will have access to exclusive videos. To go even further, subscribe to my newsletter. Thank you for your loyalty and see you soon.
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