Teaching guidelines +/- 15 minutes

Master the present tense of key 3rd group French verbs like "voir" (to see), "prendre" (to take), and "sortir" (to go out) to express actions happening now with correct conjugations.
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 Third Group Verbs in French

This lesson focuses on the present indicative tense for regular verbs of the third group in French. These verbs typically end in -oir, -re, or -ir. The present indicative expresses actions currently happening or general truths. Learning these forms is essential for everyday conversation and solid verb conjugation skills.

Examples of Third Group Verbs and Their Conjugations

Vision: "Voir" (to see) (-oir verb)Take: "Prendre" (to take) (-re verb)Go out: "Sortir" (to go out) (-ir verb)
Je voisJe prendsJe sors
Tu voisTu prendsTu sors
Il/Elle/On voitIl/Elle/On prendIl/Elle/On sort
Nous voyonsNous prenonsNous sortons
Vous voyezVous prenezVous sortez
Ils voientIls prennentIls sortent

Usage of the Present Indicative

The present indicative is used to describe actions happening right now or general facts. For example, "Je vois un film" means "I am watching a movie" or "I see a movie." This tense is foundational for expressing current activities and states in French.

Irregular Verbs

Some verbs in the third group are irregular and do not follow these patterns exactly. Examples include aller (to go), faire (to do/make), and dire (to say). These require special attention as their forms differ significantly.

Differences Between English and French Instructions and Useful Expressions

Unlike English, where verbs generally have fewer conjugated forms, French verbs change endings based on the subject pronoun. For example, English "I take," "you take," and "they take" all use the same verb form "take," but French conjugates prendre as je prends, tu prends, ils prennent.

Here are some useful French expressions with their English equivalents:

  • Si tu vois un film romantique, tu peux devenir amoureux. – If you watch a romantic movie, you may fall in love.
  • Si nous sommes fatigués, nous dormons plus. – If we are tired, we sleep more.
  • Si vous ouvrez la fenêtre, vous sentez l'air frais. – If you open the window, you feel the fresh air.

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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, 17/07/2025 11:11