The present indicative of -er verbs: 1st group

What you are learning here: regular “-er” verbs in the present

Most French verbs end in -er (1st group). They are usually predictable in the present tense.

• Step 1: take the infinitive (e.g. contacter).
• Step 2: remove -er → you get the stem: contact-.
• Step 3: add the present endings: -e, -es, -e, -ons, -ez, -ent.

The “template” you can reuse (one look = one decision)

Two common pitfalls (and how to self-correct fast)

• 1) Don’t forget: spelling ≠ sound.

  You must write the ending even if you barely hear it:

  • ils contacte → ils contactent
  • tu contacte → tu contactes

• 2) Don’t mix up infinitive and conjugated form.

  After a subject (je/tu/il…), you need a conjugated verb, not the infinitive:

  • Je contacter le service → Je contacte le service
  • Vous envoyer un mail → Vous envoyez un mail

Zoom in: “envoyer” is still -er, but the spelling changes

Envoyer follows the same endings, but the stem spelling changes for pronunciation:

Memory hook: think “nous / vous = keep the Y”.

Spelling changes to “protect” pronunciation (you will see these often)

Some -er verbs change spelling in nous to keep the same sound:

• manger → nous mangeons (keeps the soft “g”)
• commencer → nous commençons (keeps the soft “c”)

These are still regular endings; only the spelling adapts.

Quick self-check before you speak or write

1. Who is the subject? (je, tu, il/elle/on, nous, vous, ils/elles)
2. Is it an -er verb? If yes, use the template endings.
3. Is it a special spelling verb?
   • envoyer: envoi- except with nous/vous
   • manger / commencer: change spelling in nous
4. Write the ending even if it’s silent.

Important note: “aller” looks like -er, but it is not 1st group

Aller is irregular (3rd group). Don’t apply the -er template to it.