Teaching guidelines +/- 15 minutes

Learn how to conjugate regular third group French verbs in the present indicative tense, including verbs ending in -oir, -re, and -ir. This lesson covers essential verbs like voir, prendre, and sortir, illustrating their present tense forms used to express current actions. Understand key differences between French and English present tense usage to improve your practical French skills.
Verbe en -oirVoirVerbe en -rePrendre Verbes en -irSortir
Je voisJe prends Je sors 
Tu vois Tu prends Tu sors 
Il/ Elle/ On voitIl/ Elle/ On  prend Il/ Elle/ On sort
Nous voyons Nous prenons Nous sortons
Vous voyez Vous prenez Vous sortez 
Ils voient Ils prennent Ils sortent 

Exceptions!

  1. Some verbs are irregular and have different endings like aller, faire, dire

Exercise 1: Le présent de l'indicatif : verbes régulier (3ème groupe)

Instruction: Fill in the correct word.

Show translation Show answers

crois, dors, vivent, vois, ressentez, ressent, sort, savez

1. Savoir :
Vous ... que je me sens mal depuis un mois.
(You know that I have been feeling unwell for a month.)
2. Ressentir :
Ta famille ... de la joie de te voir.
(Your family feels joy at seeing you.)
3. Croire :
Tu ... que j'aime l'école alors que non.
(You think I like school whereas I don't.)
4. Voir :
Je ... que tu es heureux.
(I see that you are happy.)
5. Dormir :
Tu ... longtemps quand tu te sens mal.
(You sleep for a long time when you feel unwell.)
6. Vivre :
Les filles sont contentes depuis qu'elles ... avec toi.
(The girls have been happy since they have been living with you.)
7. Ressentir :
Vous ... du stresse avant un examen.
(You feel stressed before an exam.)
8. Sortir :
Ta copine ... quand elle est contente.
(Your girlfriend goes out when she is happy.)

Exercise 2: Multiple Choice

Instruction: Choose the correct solution

1. Si tu ______ de la tristesse, tu es peut-être triste.

(If you ______ sadness, you might be sad.)

2. Si elle ______ à ses amis, elle est heureuse.

(If she ______ about her friends, she is happy.)

3. Si nous ______ fatigués, nous dormons plus.

(If we ______ tired, we sleep more.)

4. Si vous ______ la fenêtre, vous sentez l'air frais.

(If you ______ the window, you feel the fresh air.)

5. Si tu ______ un film romantique, tu peux devenir amoureux.

(If you ______ a romantic movie, you can fall in love.)

6. Si on ______ bien, on se sent content.

(If one ______ well, one feels happy.)

Understanding the Present Indicative: Regular Verbs of the 3rd Group

This lesson introduces you to the present indicative tense used with some regular verbs from the third group in French. The present indicative is essential as it describes actions happening right now or general truths.

Key Verb Types Covered

  • Verbs ending in -oir, like voir (to see)
  • Verbs ending in -re, such as prendre (to take)
  • Verbs ending in -ir (third group), for example sortir (to go out)

Conjugation Highlights

Each verb group has specific endings in the present tense. For example, voir becomes je vois, tu vois, il voit. For prendre, it is je prends, tu prends, il prend. The verb sortir conjugates as je sors, tu sors, il sort.

Important Notes on Irregular Verbs

While this lesson focuses on regular third group verbs, some verbs like aller, faire, and dire are irregular and follow different conjugation patterns.

Practical Tip: Differences to English

In French, the present tense covers what in English might use the present continuous or simple present. For example, je vois means both "I see" and "I am seeing." Also, the conjugations change significantly with the verb group, unlike English where verb forms remain mostly stable.

Useful verbs to know are: voir (to see), prendre (to take), sortir (to go out), and phrases like je vois un film (I see a movie), nous prenons le bus (we take the bus).

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This content has been designed and reviewed by the coLanguage pedagogical team: About coLanguage

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Alessia Calcagni

Languages for communication in international enterprises and organizations

Università degli Studi di Modena e Reggio Emilia

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Last Updated:

Thursday, 26/06/2025 17:15