Present Tense Verbs

Introduction

The verbs être (to be) and avoir (to have) are the most important verbs in French. They are irregular and must be memorized.

Être (To Be)

The verb "être" means "to be". It's used to describe states, identities, and professions.

• je suis — je am (swee)
• tu es — tu are (ay)
• il/elle est — il/elle is (ay)
• nous sommes — nous are (sohm)
• vous êtes — vous are (et)
• ils/elles sont — ils/elles are (sohn)

Avoir (To Have)

The verb "avoir" means "to have". It's used to express possession and age.

• je ai — je have (ay)
• tu as — tu have (ah)
• il/elle a — il/elle has (ah)
• nous avons — nous have (ah-vohn)
• vous avez — vous have (ah-vay)
• ils/elles ont — ils/elles have (ohn)

Practice

Test your conjugation skills!

Review

Fantastic! You've mastered the conjugations of être and avoir. These are fundamental verbs you'll use every day in French!