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Verbs: the present tense you’ll actually use

A practical way to start using verbs without getting stuck in conjugation tables.

What matters most

Start with verbs that let you communicate immediately.

  • Être and avoir are essential (many tenses depend on them).
  • French verbs conjugate by person; start with present tense patterns.
  • Passé composé is the most common ‘past’ for conversation.
J'ai un stylo.
I have a pen.
Je vais au travail.
I go / I’m going to work.
J'ai mangé.
I ate / I have eaten.
Je suis ici.
I am here.
Je veux de l'eau.
I want water.
Je ne comprends pas.
I don't understand.
Est-ce que vous parlez anglais ?
Do you speak English? (formal/plural)
Où sont les toilettes ?
Where are the toilets?
C'est mon ami.
This is my friend.

Practice tip

Pick 3 verbs you use daily and practice them in one sentence pattern.

  • I want…
  • I go…
  • I work… / I study…

Mini‑quiz

Mini-quiz
1/8 • Score: 0
Which sentence matches “I have a pen.”?