Languages › French French Irregular -RE Verbs Learn the conjugation patterns for irregular French -re verbs. Print Dave and Les Jacobs / Getty Images French Grammar Pronunciation & Conversation Vocabulary Resources For Teachers By ThoughtCo Team Updated on February 21, 2020 Irregular verbs are so named because they do not follow any of the regular conjugation patterns. But that doesn't mean that every irregular French verb is unique; many of them share a conjugation pattern with at least one other verb. By learning how to conjugate one verb in a group and memorizing the list of similar verbs, you'll be able to conjugate all the verbs in that group. Read More French Regular -RE Verbs By ThoughtCo Team French has five irregular -RE verb patterns. The first group includes prendre and all of its derivations (comprendre, etc). These verbs drop the d in all three plural forms and also double the n in the third person plural. The second group includes battre and all of its derivations (débattre, etc). These verbs drop the stem's final t in the singular forms. The third group includes mettre and all of its derivations (promettre, etc). These verbs are conjugated just like battre verbs in the present tense, but I consider them a separate group because they are conjugated differently in the passé simple, imperfect subjunctive, and past participle. (As you can see in the table below, the first three groups take the same present tense verb endings.) The fourth group of irregular -RE verbs includes rompre and its derivations (corrompre, etc). These verbs are conjugated exactly like regular -RE verbs with the single exception of the third person singular present tense, which adds a t after the stem. The fifth group of irregular -RE verbs includes all verbs that end in -aindre (e.g., craindre), -eindre (like peindre), and -oindre (such as joindre). These verbs drop the d in the root in all forms, and add a g in front of the n in the plural forms. The rest of the irregular -RE verbs have unique or unwieldy conjugations, so you have to memorize each one separately. Try working on one verb a day until you've mastered them all: absoudre, boire, clore, conclure, conduire, confire, connaître, coudre, croire, dire, écrire, faire, inscrire, lire, moudre, naître, plaire, rire, suivre, vivre.Click any verb for the complete table of conjugations in all of the simple tenses and moods: Group 1 Group 2 Group 3 Pronoun Endings prendre > pren(d)- battre > bat(t) mettre > met(t) je -s prends bats mets tu -s prends bats mets il - prend bat met nous -ons prenons battons mettons vous -ez prenez battez mettez ils -ent prennent battent mettent Group 4 Group 5 Pronoun Endings rompre > romp- craindre > crain-/craign- je -s romps crains tu -s romps crains il -t rompt craint nous -ons rompons craignons vous -ez rompez craignez ils -ent rompent craignent Cite this Article Format mla apa chicago Your Citation Team, ThoughtCo. "French Irregular -RE Verbs." ThoughtCo, Apr. 5, 2023, thoughtco.com/french-irregular-re-verbs-1368868. Team, ThoughtCo. (2023, April 5). French Irregular -RE Verbs. Retrieved from https://www.thoughtco.com/french-irregular-re-verbs-1368868 Team, ThoughtCo. "French Irregular -RE Verbs." ThoughtCo. https://www.thoughtco.com/french-irregular-re-verbs-1368868 (accessed April 19, 2024). copy citation By clicking “Accept All Cookies”, you agree to the storing of cookies on your device to enhance site navigation, analyze site usage, and assist in our marketing efforts. Cookies Settings Accept All Cookies