As was the case in the past two articles in this 100 French verbs series, brief conjugation reviews will be offered as well as English definitions of each word. Lingo Lex and similar websites also publish similar lists of the most commonly used verbs in other languages such as English and Spanish.
Introduction
There are lists published on language websites such as Lingo Lex of the 100 most common foreign language verbs, and in September 2009 Bright Hub is reviewing the final 36. In May 2009 the first installment was published as #1-31 Most Used French Verbs and in August 2009 the second article as #32-64 Most Used French Verbs.
T Verbs
take: prendre (irregular verb)
talk: parler (regular -ER verb)
teach: enseigner (regular - ER verb)
tell: dire (irregular verb)
think: penser (regular - ER verb)
translate: traduire (irregular verb)
travel: voyager (regular -ER verb)
try: essayer (optional stem-changing -AYER verb)
turn off: éteindre (irregular verb)
turn on: allumer (regular -ER verb)
U Verbs
understand: comprendre (irregular verb)
use: utiliser (regular -ER verb)
W Verbs
wait: attendre (regular - RE verb)
wake up: se réveiller(regular -ER verb)
want: vouloir (irregular verb) OR désirer (regular -ER verb)
watch: regarder (regular -ER verb)
work: travailler (regular -ER verb)
worry: s'inquiéter (regular -ER verb)
write: écrire (irregular verb)
Conjugations, Part 1
Most French verbs, especially the 100 commonly used words, are conjugated according to the last two letters. An example of a standard French verb conjugation can be found in the word regarder, which means to watch. Some of the most used forms are shown in the examples below;
PRESENT TENSE
je: regarde
tu: regardes
il: regarde
nous: regardons
vous: regardez
ils: regardent
FUTURE TENSE
je: regarderai
tu: regarderas
il: regardera
nous: regarderons
vous: regarderez
ils: regarderont
Conjugations, Part 2
Attendre, which means to wait or to wait for, is another verb conjugated by the last two letters of the word. Some examples of how to conjugate "re" verbs are noted below.
PRESENT TENSE
je: attends
tu: attends
il: attend
nous: attendons
vous: attendez
ils: attendent
FUTURE TENSE
je: attendrai
tu: attendras
il: attendra
nous: attendrons
vous: attendrez
ils: attendront
Conjugations, Part 3
Some French verbs do not follow standard rules of conjugation because they are known as "irregular" verbs. Prendre, to take, is one of them. Examples of some of this commonly used irregular French verb's conjugations are noted below.
PRESENT TENSE
je: prends
tu: prends
il: prend
nous: prenons
vous: prenez
ils: prennent
FUTURE TENSE
je: prendrai
tu: prendras
il: prendra
nous: prendrons
vous: prendrez
ils: prendront
Spelling Change -GER Verb Conjugations
Spelling change -GER verbs, such as voyager (to travel), are conjugated slightly differently due to the fact that the hard vowel "a" (this also applies to verbs with the hard vowel "o") precedes the "g", followed by the soft vowel "e." To keep to the best French pronunciation, these verbs have some spelling changes as compared to regular -ER verbs.
These verbs would be conjugated in most cases in both present and future tense just like regular -ER verbs except as follows:
PRESENT TENSE CHANGE
nous: voyageons
Optional Stem Changes for -AYER Verbs
Stem changes in conjugations are not required for -AYER verbs such as essayer (to try). It would basically change the "y" to an "i" if used. Essayer and other -AYER verbs are seldom conjugated differently than -ER verbs.