Regular ER Verbs in French

Learning French verbs is an essential part of mastering the French language. Among all verbs in French, regular -er verbs are the easiest to start with because they follow a predictable conjugation pattern. This guide will explain how to identify, conjugate, and practice these verbs effectively, helping you learn French in an immersive way.

What Are Regular ER Verbs in French?

Definition and present tense endings

Regular -er verbs are French verbs that end in -er in their infinitive form. They follow a consistent pattern in the present tense, making them simpler to conjugate.

To form the present tense, remove the -er ending to find the stem, then add the following endings:

Subject	Ending
je	-e
tu	-es
il/elle/on	-e
nous	-ons
vous	-ez
ils/elles	-ent

For example, the verb aimer (to like) becomes:

j’aime
tu aimes
il/elle/on aime
nous aimons
vous aimez
ils/elles aiment

How to identify ER verbs that are regular

To identify regular -er verbs:

Infinitive

The infinitive ends in -er (except aller, which is irregular).

Consistent stem

The stem remains the same for all forms except minor spelling changes (like manger → nous mangeons).

Standard endings

They follow standard present tense endings.

Common Regular ER Verbs in French

Frequently used regular ER verbs

Here is a table of commonly used regular -er verbs, including English translation and pronunciation:

French Verb	English	Pronunciation
aimer	to like / love	eh-may
manger	to eat	mahn-zhay
parler	to speak	par-lay
regarder	to watch	ruh-gar-day
jouer	to play	zhoo-ay
travailler	to work	tra-va-yay
étudier	to study	ay-tu-dee-ay

These regular -er verbs are part of the largest category of verbs in French, making them a perfect starting point for beginners.

Examples in simple sentences

Je parle français

Je parle français tous les jours. (I speak French every day.)

Tu aimes le chocolat

Tu aimes le chocolat pour le goûter. (You like chocolate for a snack.)

Nous regardons un film

Nous regardons un film ce soir. (We are watching a movie tonight.)

Ils jouent au football

Ils jouent au football après l’école. (They play soccer after school.)

How to Conjugate Regular ER Verbs in French

Present, past, and future tense endings

Present tense

Use the standard endings: -e, -es, -e, -ons, -ez, -ent.

Past tense

Past tense (passé composé): Use avoir + past participle formed by replacing -er with -é.

Example: j’ai parlé (I spoke).

(be careful : a few verbs use être + past participle : e.g : je suis monté.e)

Future tense

Add future endings to the infinitive form: -ai, -as, -a, -ons, -ez, -ont.

Example: nous parlerons (we will speak).

Notes on spelling changes and pronunciation

Some regular -er verbs require slight spelling changes to maintain pronunciation:

Manger → nous mangeons

Extra e keeps the soft g sound.

Commencer → nous commençons

ç changes the c sound to soft s.

Remember that nous and vous forms are particularly important in spoken French, as they are used in formal situations and in the classroom.

Tips to Practice Regular ER Verbs

Exercises for daily practice

Conjugation drills

Pick 3-5 regular -er verbs and conjugate them in the present tense for all subjects.

Sentence creation

Use each verb in a simple sentence to reinforce meaning.

Flashcards

Include French verb, English translation, and pronunciation.

Immersion techniques to reinforce learning

Speak French daily

Speak French daily in your language school or online courses.

Label objects and actions

Label objects and actions around you using verbs like manger, regarder, jouer.

Watch and listen

Watch French videos or listen to songs, noting regular -er verbs in context.

Combine different exercises

Combine reading, writing, and speaking exercises to strengthen your memory.

By following these steps, learners can master regular -er verbs quickly and confidently, forming a strong foundation for more complex French grammar.

Regular practice and real-life immersion can make this process even more effective, giving you more opportunities to use these verbs naturally. An intensive french course can provide the structured practice and daily exposure needed to turn these grammar rules into confident French communication.