LESSON 11 Le présent simple. Simple present.

French Simple Present

When we talk about a current action, something that is true in the moment,
habitual events, or widely accepted truths, we use the simple present
tense.

Regular verbs fall into either of these three categories: those that end
in -er, -ir, and -re. To conjugate these verbs, you have to take note of
the applicable rules for each type.

Ready? Let’s start with the -er verbs.

 To form the present tense for the -er verbs, use the infinitive,
chop off the -er and add the new ending which depends on the subject
of the sentence. For example, the verb donner is changed to its
stem donn + the new ending. Track 19
 For first person singular, add the new ending -e. Je donne. (I give)
 For second person singular, add -es. Tu donnes. (You give)
 For third person singular, add -e. Il/Elle donne. (He/she gives)
 For first person plural, add -ons. Nous donnons (we give)
 For second person plural, add -ez. Vous donnez (you give)
 For third person plural, add -ent. Ils/elles donnent (they give)

Now for the -ir verbs.

 To form the present tense for the -ir verbs, use the infinitive,
chop off the -ir and add the new ending. For example, the verb finir
is changed to its stem fin + the new ending.
 For first person singular, add -is. Je finis. (I finish)
 For second person singular, add -is. Tu finis. (You finish)
 For third person singular, add -it. Il/Elle finit. (He/she finish)
 For first person plural, add -issons. Nous finissons (we finish)
 For second person plural, add -issez. Vous finissez (you finish)
 For third person plural, add -issent. Ils/elles finissent (they
finish)

Finally, for the -re verbs

 To form the present tense for the -re verbs, use the infinitive,
chop off the -re and add the new ending. For example, the verb
attendre is changed to its stem attend + the new ending.
 For first person singular, add -s. J’attends. (I wait)

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  For second person singular, add -s. Tu attends. (You wait)
 For third person singular, don’t add anything. Il/Elle attend.
(He/she wait )
 For first person plural, add -ons. Nous attendons (we wait)
 For second person plural, add -ez. Vous attendez (you wait)
 For third person plural, add -ent. Ils/Elles attendent (they wait)

Let’s practice (aka exercises):

1. Il (écouter) ______ beaucoup la radio.
He listens to the radio a lot.

2. Nous (aimer) ______ ce film.

We like this film.

3. Elle (travailler) _________ à Paris.

She works in Paris.

4. Les enfants (grandir) ___________ très vite.

The children are growing up fast.

5. Il (vendre) ____ sa voiture.

He’s selling his car.

6. Elle (parler) _____ couramment le français.

She speaks French fluently.

7. Nous ne (vendre) _______ pas de chaussures.

We don’t sell shoes.

8. Tu ne (répondre) _______ pas à ma question.

You’re not answering my question.

Fun facts.In France, you can marry a dead person.

References

http://www.learnfrenchathome.com/Sample_Basics_Grammar_Book.pdf

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