#1-31 Most Used French Verbs

Written by:  • Edited by: Rebecca Scudder
Updated Oct 7, 2010
• Related Guides: Spanish Verbs

There is a list of the 100 most used French verbs, and this month we will review 31 of the vocabulary words. Those seeking to complain or cough can easily find an equivalent that can be used in French-speaking nations.

Introduction

Verbs are the action words and essential to most conversations in any language. Lingo Lex and other language websites publish the most commonly used French, English, and Spanish verbs. This month will be a review of 25 of the 100 most common French verbs, complete with definitions and some conjugation lessons.

A and B Verbs

accept: accepter

allow: permettre

ask: demander

believe: croire

borrow: prêter

break: casser

bring: apporter/emmener

buy: acheter

C Verbs

can or be able: pouvoir

cancel: annuler

change: changer

clean: laver

comb: peigner

complain: se plaindre

cough: tousser

count: compter

cut: couper

D and E Verbs

dance: danser

draw: dessiner

drink: boire

drive: conduire

eat: manger

explain: expliquer

F Verbs

fall: tomber

fill: remplir

find: trouver

finish: terminer

fit: contenir

fix: réparer

fly: voler

forget: oublier

Conjugations, Part 1

There are a number of ways to conjugate French verbs. For the most part, verbs are successfully conjugated according to the last two letters of the word. For example, oublier (to forget) is considered a regular ER verb and would be conjugated in French as follows:

PRESENT TENSE

je: oublie

tu: oublies

il: oubile

nous: oublions

vous: oubliez

ils: oublient

FUTURE TENSE

je: oublierai

tu: oublieras

il: oubliera

nous: oublierons

vous: oublierez

ils: oublieront

Conjugations, Part 2

Remplir (to fill) is a regular French IR verb. Two of its most popular tenses and conjugations are the following:

PRESENT TENSE

je: remplis

tu: remplis

il: remplit

nous: remplissons

vous: remplissez

ils: remplissent

FUTURE TENSE

je: remplirai

tu: rempliras

il: remplira

nous: remplirons

vous: remplirez

ils: rempliront

Conjugations, Part 3

Irregular verbs include permettre (to permit). Some of the conjugations for this French vocabulary word are as follows:

PRESENT TENSE

je: permits

tu: permits

il: permet

nous: permettons

vous: permettez

ils: permettent

FUTURE TENSE:

je: permettrai

tu: permettras

il: permettra

nous: permettrons

vous: permettrez

ils: permettront

Pronunciation

Learning proper pronunciation is essential when studying conversational French. Knowing the right spellings and basic conjugations of the most used French verbs is helpful. However, you will need to make sure you are speaking properly, especially if you plan to visit a nation such as France, Belgium, Switzerland, or Canada. Pronunciation can be one of the hardest hurdles to learning French. However, there are a number of ways to find out the proper manner in which to truly speak French, and it will differ depending on the country.

Audio files usually prove most efficient for learning any spoken language, especially French. Fonetiks.org offers a free audio guide for European and Canadian French. A printed pronunciation guide that can be used for all French grammar and vocabulary lessons can be viewed at Smart Phrase.com.


 
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