Language/French/Grammar/Common-Irregular-Verbs

French Grammar → Verbs and Tenses → Common Irregular Verbs

Common Irregular Verbs in French

In French, there are many irregular verbs that do not follow the regular conjugation patterns. It is important to learn and master these irregular verbs in order to express oneself correctly in French. In this lesson, we will cover some of the most common irregular verbs in the French language.

Être (To Be)

The verb "être" is one of the most common and irregular verbs in French. It is used in many expressions and is essential to know for basic conversation.

French	Pronunciation	English
je suis	zhuh swee	I am
tu es	too ay	you are (singular)
il/elle est	eel/ell ay	he/she/it is
nous sommes	noo som	we are
vous êtes	voo zet	you are (plural)
ils/elles sont	eel/el son	they are

Avoir (To Have)

The verb "avoir" is another important irregular verb in French that is used to indicate possession or to form compound tenses.

French	Pronunciation	English
j'ai	zhay	I have
tu as	too ah	you have (singular)
il/elle/on a	eel/el/on ah	he/she/it has
nous avons	noo zavon	we have
vous avez	voo zah-vay	you have (plural)
ils/elles ont	eel/el zon	they have

Aller (To Go)

The verb "aller" is used to express movement or going somewhere. It is commonly used in daily conversation.

French	Pronunciation	English
je vais	zhuh vay	I go
tu vas	too va	you go (singular)
il/elle/on va	eel/el/on va	he/she/it goes
nous allons	noo zalon	we go
vous allez	voo zal-lay	you go (plural)
ils/elles vont	eel/el von	they go

Faire (To Do/Make)

The verb "faire" is used to indicate doing or making something. It is also used in many expressions and idioms.

French	Pronunciation	English
je fais	zhuh fay	I do/make
tu fais	too fay	you do/make (singular)
il/elle/on fait	eel/el/on fay	he/she/it does/makes
nous faisons	noo fez-on	we do/make
vous faites	voo fet	you do/make (plural)
ils/elles font	eel/el fon	they do/make

Venir (To Come)

The verb "venir" is used to express coming or arriving somewhere.

French	Pronunciation	English
je viens	zhuh vee-ahn	I come
tu viens	too vee-ahn	you come (singular)
il/elle/on vient	eel/el/on vee-ahn	he/she/it comes
nous venons	noo vuh-non	we come
vous venez	voo vuh-nay	you come (plural)
ils/elles viennent	eel/el vee-enn	they come

Sources

• <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/French_verbs">French Verbs</a>
• <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Category:French_irregular_verbs">Category:French irregular verbs</a>

Table of Contents - French Course - 0 to A1

• Course Presentation

  ---

Alphabet and Pronunciation

• The French Alphabet
• French Vowels and Consonants
• French Accent Marks
• Introductions and Greetings

  ---

Nouns and Articles

• Gender and Number of Nouns
• Definite and Indefinite Articles
• Partitive Articles

  ---

Verbs and Tenses

• Present Tense of Regular Verbs
• Common Irregular Verbs
• Passé Composé
• Futur Proche

  ---

Adjectives and Adverbs

• Agreement of Adjectives
• Comparative and Superlative Adjectives
• Formation and Use of Adverbs

  ---

Negation and Interrogation

• Negation
• Interrogation

  ---

Numbers and Time

• Cardinal and Ordinal Numbers
• Time and Dates

  ---

Family and Relationships

• Family Members
• Romantic Relationships

  ---

Food and Drink

• Food and Eating Habits
• Beverages and Drinking Habits

  ---

Hobbies and Interests

• Sports and Fitness Activities
• Music and Entertainment

  ---

Geography and Travel

• Regions and Cities in France
• Transportation and Accommodation

  ---

French Culture and Arts

• French Cuisine and Gastronomy
• French Cinema and Literature

  ---

French History and Society

• Major Events in French History
• French Society and Lifestyle

Related Lessons

• Invariable adjectives
• Comparing neutral ce, cela, ça with personal il ils and elle elles
• Adjective—adjective compounds
• Differences in the use of numbers in French and English once twice
• Years
• Position of subject pronouns
• Money
• Nouns which refer both to males and to females
• Adjectives used as adverbs
• il or ça with impersonal verbs