-IR and -RE Verbs in French: The Other Two Regular Patterns
Finir-type -ir verbs and vendre-type -re verbs, fully conjugated - the second and third regular verb groups after -er.
Regular -ir verbs follow the finir pattern: -is, -is, -it, -issons, -issez, -issent. Regular -re verbs follow the vendre pattern: -s, -s, (nothing), -ons, -ez, -ent. Many common -ir/-re-looking verbs like venir and prendre are actually irregular and don’t follow these patterns.
Quick answer
Regular -ir verbs follow the finir pattern: -is, -is, -it, -issons, -issez, -issent. Regular -re verbs follow the vendre pattern: -s, -s, (nothing), -ons, -ez, -ent. Many common -ir/-re-looking verbs like venir and prendre are actually irregular and don’t follow these patterns.
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This completes the three regular groups covered in the French conjugation guide, alongside -er verbs, the first group.
-IR verbs: the finir pattern
| Pronoun | Finir | Choisir | Réussir |
|---|---|---|---|
| je | finis | choisis | réussis |
| tu | finis | choisis | réussis |
| il/elle | finit | choisit | réussit |
| nous | finissons | choisissons | réussissons |
| vous | finissez | choisissez | réussissez |
| ils/elles | finissent | choisissent | réussissent |
-RE verbs: the vendre pattern
| Pronoun | Vendre | Attendre | Répondre |
|---|---|---|---|
| je | vends | attends | réponds |
| tu | vends | attends | réponds |
| il/elle | vend | attend | répond |
| nous | vendons | attendons | répondons |
| vous | vendez | attendez | répondez |
| ils/elles | vendent | attendent | répondent |
A note on irregular -ir and -re verbs
Many high-frequency verbs (venir, prendre, mettre) look like -ir/-re verbs but conjugate irregularly - these are covered individually elsewhere, not as part of this regular pattern. See common French verbs for the irregular exceptions.
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Questions about this note
How do you conjugate finir?
Je finis, tu finis, il finit, nous finissons, vous finissez, ils finissent.
How do you conjugate vendre?
Je vends, tu vends, il vend, nous vendons, vous vendez, ils vendent.
Does il/elle vendre take an ending?
No - the singular third person has no added ending for regular -re verbs.
Are all -ir verbs regular?
No - many common ones (venir, partir-type) are irregular; this page covers only the regular finir pattern.
What's the -issons marker for?
It signals the plural forms of regular -ir verbs, distinguishing them from irregular -ir verbs.