The 50 most common French verbs

Dr Popkins — Mon, 24 May 2021 21:40:09 +0000

Learning the most frequent French words is makes tactical sense when you’re starting to learn the language. The most common French verbs – words expressing an action like “to eat” or state like “to be” or an experience like “to happen” – should be at the top of your list. After all, beyond pointing at objects and naming them, you won’t get far in French without some “action”!

There’s good news as you start learning (or revising) the most useful French verbs: many are very similar to the English equivalent. Try guessing the meaning of “commencer”, “continuer”, “décider”.

The dictionary form of the verbs is the “infinitive”. In English that’s the “to” form: to be, to go, to say. In French, infinitives end in –er, –ir or –re (aller – to go; venir – to come, être – to be). The three verbs above (to commence, to continue and to decide, in case you were stuck ) are all “-er” verbs.

French verb endings change from the basic infinitive -er, -ir, -re most often that is to show who is doing the action (the “person”) and when (the “tense”). We see the same in English, though the patterns are different: I eat, you eat, he eats; je mange, tu manges, il mange).

How should you learn the most important French verbs?

Don’t learn the list below in a set order: mix it up, for example by making flashcards with the French on one side and the English on the other.

Besides the infinitive, you need to get the right endings. The endings (or “the conjugation”) of most verbs depends on whether they end in -er, -ir or -re.

However, just like in English, some French verbs are irregular (including some in our list).

Learn the infinitives by all means but it also helps to learn the verb in an example phrases. Context helps you remember and makes sure you’ve got the ending right and you’re using the verb in a natural-sounding way. As you read, listen and speak, collect sentences that contain examples of the verbs. Test yourself with your flashcards, try to make sentences of your own (modelled on your examples) and get feedback.

Keep coming back to the verbs and your illustrative sentences – you’ll forget them many times… ….until you don’t.

Practice leads to learning. Conscious vocab building is powerful but it won’t work if you don’t get lots of exposure to French too. Find a good beginner’s course, start listening to podcasts or YouTube aimed at learners and start reading simplified texts, even if, at first, there’s a lot you don’t understand.

Bonne chance!

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