Answers

The conjugated verb is "secoue". The test of the moment confirms it: "hier, le vent secouait". So does the test of the person: "nous secouons". The infinitive is secouer, and the subject is "le vent".

The conjugated verb is "arrose". "Chaque matin" conjugates nothing: it is a group that places the moment, not a verb. The change-of-person test decides it: "nous arrosons".

The conjugated verb is "entendent". The subject is "les élèves du fond", and the verb is plural because that subject is. "Mal" is not conjugated: it is an invariable word.

The conjugated verb is "occupe". Watch out for "attente", which looks like a verb but is here a noun preceded by "d'". The test of the moment shows it: "une file d'attente occupait", and never "une file d'attendait".

The conjugated verb is "rangeons". Its ending -ons already says that the subject is "nous". The infinitive is ranger.

The conjugated verb is "connaît". The test of the moment confirms it: "ton frère connaissait la réponse". The subject is "ton frère".

The conjugated verb is "comptent". "Dans la cour" places the setting and is not conjugated. The subject is "deux enfants", in the plural, and the ending -ent follows it.

The conjugated verb is "fabrique". The subject is "cette machine". The noun "boîtes" is not conjugated, despite standing right after the verb.

The infinitive is ralentir. The turn-of-phrase test gives it: "les voitures sont en train de ralentir". The form "ralentissent" carries the syllable -iss- that appears in the plural of verbs of this type.

The infinitive is prendre. The form "prends" does not look much like its infinitive, but the test decides: "tu es en train de prendre le chemin le plus court".

The infinitive is voir. The form "voyons" changes stem compared with "je vois", which is common among the verbs used most often: the name of the verb, for its part, does not change.

The infinitive is venir. "Vient" and "venir" have only their first two letters in common, and that is normal: a verb can change stem without changing infinitive.

The infinitive is tomber. The form "tombent" is plural because the subject "les feuilles" is. The test: "les feuilles sont en train de tomber".

The infinitive is dire. "Vous dites" is an irregular form that does not take the usual ending of the second person plural, but its infinitive is still dire.

The infinitive is peser. The turn-of-phrase test works: "ce sac est en train de peser trop lourd" is clumsy, but the test of the moment confirms it: "ce sac pesait trop lourd".

The infinitive is aller. It is the verb whose conjugated form looks least like its infinitive: "vont", "vais" and "irons" all come from aller.

The infinitive is pouvoir. The form "peux" has changed stem, but the test of the moment shows it: "je pouvais porter la caisse".

The infinitive is pétrir. The form "pétrit" is singular because the subject "le boulanger" is. The plural would be "pétrissent", with the syllable -iss- of verbs of this type.

The subject is "le facteur". It answers the question "qui est-ce qui distribue ?". It is a third person singular: it could be replaced by "il".

The subject is "les enfants du quartier", the whole group and not the single word "quartier". It is a third person plural: it could be replaced by "ils".

The subject is "tu". It is a second person singular, and the ending -es of the verb signals it.

The subject is "le panier de fruits". The word placed right in front of the verb is "fruits", but it is not the one that commands: what smells good is the basket. It is a third person singular.

The subject is "nous". It is a first person plural, and the ending -ons of the verb confirms it.

The subject is "les fenêtres de la cuisine". The word closest to the verb is "cuisine", in the singular, and that is the trap: what closes badly is the windows. It is a third person plural.

The subject is "vous". It is a second person plural, signalled by the ending -ez.

The subject is "un troupeau de vaches". What crosses is the herd, a set counted as one: it is a third person singular, despite the word "vaches" that follows.

The subject is "ma sœur et moi". Two subjects joined by "et", one of which is "moi", amount to "nous": it is a first person plural, and the ending -ons shows it.

The subject is "les livres de la pile du bas". The whole group counts, including what comes after "livres", and it is "les livres" that commands. The word "bas", singular and right in front of the verb, is the trap. It is a third person plural.

You write march-ons. The stem is march-, the one found again in marcher and in marchait; the ending -ons is that of the first person plural.

You write regard-es. The stem is regard-, and the ending -es is that of the second person singular. It is not pronounced.

You write pouss-ent. The stem is pouss-, and the ending -ent is that of the third person plural. It is not pronounced either.

You write chant-e. The stem is chant-, and the ending -e is that of the third person singular.

You write port-ez. The stem is port-, the ending -ez is that of the second person plural, and it is heard.

You write dans-e. The stem is dans-, and the ending -e is not heard: that is exactly why it has to be thought out instead of listened for.

You write cri-ons. The stem is cri-, cut down to three letters, and the ending -ons is the same as for marcher. The cut does not depend on the length of the stem.

You write jou-es. The stem is jou- and the ending is -es. Take care not to cut after the e of the infinitive jouer: that e does not belong to the stem.

The conjugated verb is "cachent", its infinitive is cacher, and the subject is "les nuages". The group "depuis ce matin" places the moment and plays no part in the agreement.

The conjugated verb is "repeint", its infinitive is repeindre, and the subject is "mon voisin". The conjugated form hardly looks like the infinitive, which is common among -re verbs.

The conjugated verb is "choisissez", its infinitive is choisir, and the subject is "vous". The syllable -iss- signals a verb of the finir type, and the ending -ez the second person plural.

The conjugated verb is "part", its infinitive is partir, and the subject is "le train de six heures". The word "heures" is plural right in front of the verb, but what leaves is the train.

The conjugated verb is "apprenons", its infinitive is apprendre, and the subject is "nous". The word "nouvelle" is an adjective that goes with "chanson", not a verb.

The conjugated verb is "grincent", its infinitive is grincer, and the subject is "ces vieilles portes". The form "touche" at the end of the sentence is a second conjugated verb, but it belongs to another part of the sentence, introduced by "dès qu'".

Je ferme la porte doucement. The subject is "je", first person singular, and the ending of the présent is -e. It is not heard: it is the subject that imposes it, not the ear.

Tu cherches tes clés depuis dix minutes. The subject "tu" commands the ending -es, and it is the only person of the présent of -er verbs to carry it.

Elle dessine un cheval. The subject "elle" is a third person singular: the ending is -e, the same as with "je".

Nous parlons trop fort. The ending of the first person plural is -ons, and it is one of the only two that are heard, along with the -ez of "vous".

Vous aimez les fins d'après-midi. The ending of the second person plural is -ez, which is pronounced like the infinitive "aimer" but written otherwise.

Ils arrivent toujours en retard. The subject "ils" is a third person plural: the ending is -ent, and it is not pronounced.

On frappe à la porte. "On" is always conjugated like "il", that is, in the third person singular, even when it names several people.

Les voitures klaxonnent sans arrêt. The subject is "les voitures", third person plural, hence the ending -ent.

Tu tombes de sommeil. The subject is "tu", so the ending is -es. "De sommeil" changes nothing in the agreement.

Je travaille le samedi matin. The subject is "je", so the ending is -e. The group "le samedi matin" places the moment without taking any part in the agreement.

Le chien des voisins hurle toute la nuit. What howls is the dog, in the singular: the ending is -e, despite "voisins" in the plural just in front of the verb.

Les élèves de la classe écoutent le maître. What listens is the pupils, in the plural: the ending is -ent. The word "classe", in the singular, is the trap of the sentence.

Ma tante et son mari habitent très loin. Two subjects joined by "et" amount to a plural: the ending is -ent.

Le panier de pommes occupe toute la table. What takes up the table is the basket, in the singular: the ending is -e. "Pommes" is plural but it is not the subject.

Les portes du garage grincent un peu. The subject is "les portes", in the plural: ending -ent. "Garage" is singular, and that is precisely why it has been placed there.

Ce vieux moulin tourne encore. The subject is "ce vieux moulin", third person singular: ending -e.

Les livres de la bibliothèque datent du siècle dernier. What dates from then is the books, in the plural: ending -ent.

Le groupe d'enfants traverse au feu rouge. What crosses is the group, counted as one: ending -e, despite "enfants" in the plural just in front.

Mes cousines rentrent demain. The subject is "mes cousines", in the plural: ending -ent. The word "demain" announces the time to come, but the instruction asked for the présent, and French allows that perfectly well for something planned.

Le bruit des moteurs gêne les voix. What gets in the way is the noise, in the singular: ending -e. "Moteurs" is plural and it is not the subject.

Nous mangeons. Manger is a -ger verb: it keeps an e in front of the ending -ons so that the g keeps the same sound. Without that e, one would read "mangons" with a hard g.

Nous marchons. No touch-up is needed: the stem march- is pronounced the same way in front of every ending.

Nous avançons. Avancer is a -cer verb: the c takes a cedilla in front of the ending -ons, without which one would read "avancons" with a hard c.

Nous rangeons. The same rule as manger: the e is there for the sound, and it appears at that person of the présent only.

Nous cherchons. No touch-up: the stem cherch- does not change sound in front of -ons.

Nous commençons. The cedilla is needed in front of the ending -ons, as for every -cer verb.

Nous nageons. A -ger verb, so a linking e in front of -ons.

Nous plaçons. A -cer verb, so a cedilla in front of -ons.

Nous portons. No touch-up: nothing in the stem port- changes sound.

Nous plongeons. A -ger verb, so an e in front of -ons.

Nous lançons. A -cer verb, so a cedilla in front of -ons.

Nous regardons. No touch-up needed.

Tu essuies la table. Essuyer is a -yer verb, and the ending -es is silent: the y therefore becomes i. The form is on the opposite side from "nous".

Nous essuyons la table. The person "nous" keeps the stem of the infinitive: the y stays, because the ending -ons is heard.

Elle appelle son frère. Appeler doubles its consonant in front of a silent ending: the form is on the opposite side from "nous", so two l.

Vous appelez trop tard. The person "vous" keeps the stem of the infinitive, so a single l: the ending -ez is heard.

Ils jettent les papiers dans la poubelle. Jeter doubles its t in front of the silent ending -ent, as appeler doubles its l.

Nous jetons un coup d'œil. The person "nous" keeps the stem of the infinitive: a single t.

Je paie à la caisse, or je paye à la caisse. Payer allows both spellings, and it is one of the few hesitations the language really does permit. Both are met with in ordinary written usage.

Vous payez en liquide. The person "vous" keeps the y of the infinitive, whichever spelling is chosen in the singular.

Le vent balaie les feuilles, or le vent balaye les feuilles. Balayer follows exactly the rule of payer, and therefore allows both spellings in the singular.

Nous balayons la cour. As for every -yer verb, the person "nous" keeps the y.

On feuillette le catalogue. "On" is conjugated like "il", and feuilleter doubles its t in front of a silent ending.

Vous feuilletez le catalogue. The person "vous" keeps the stem of the infinitive: a single t.

Je pèse mes bagages avant de partir. Peser takes a grave accent on the e of the stem in front of a silent ending, exactly where appeler doubles its consonant.

Nous pesons nos bagages avant de partir. The person "nous" keeps the stem of the infinitive, so no accent: the ending -ons is heard.

Elle achète le pain en rentrant. Acheter follows the rule of peser: a grave accent in front of a silent ending. Take care not to double the t, the way jeter does.

Vous achetez le pain en rentrant. The person "vous" keeps the stem of the infinitive: neither accent nor doubled consonant.

Chaque matin, nous commençons par ouvrir les volets. A -cer verb at the person "nous": the cedilla is needed. "Ouvrir" stays in the infinitive because it follows the preposition "par".

Ma mère prépare le café pendant que je range la table. Two verbs, two subjects: "ma mère" is a third person singular, "je" a first person singular, and both take -e.

Les voisins du dessus déplacent leurs meubles à sept heures. The subject is "les voisins du dessus", in the plural: ending -ent. No cedilla here, because the ending does not begin with an o.

Tu protestes, mais personne ne t'écoute. The first subject is "tu", hence -es. The second is "personne", which is always singular despite what it means: the ending is -e.

Vous avancez doucement dans le couloir. The person "vous" calls for no cedilla: the ending -ez begins with an e, in front of which the c keeps its soft sound.

Les enfants jettent leur cartable dans l'entrée. The ending -ent is silent, so jeter doubles its t.

On nettoie la cuisine ensemble. "On" is conjugated like "il", and nettoyer changes its y into i in front of the silent ending -e.

Je paie le pain et tu portes le sac, or je paye le pain et tu portes le sac. Payer allows both spellings; porter, for its part, simply takes -es after "tu".

Nous partageons le journal en deux. A -ger verb at the person "nous": the linking e is needed in front of -ons.

Ils appellent toujours au mauvais moment. The ending -ent is silent, so appeler doubles its l.

Je suis prêt dans deux minutes. The first person singular of être is "suis", and it looks like no other form of the verb: it is learnt as it stands.

Tu es sûr de toi. The second person singular of être is "es", with no accent and no extra s. Do not confuse it with "est", which is the third person.

Le train est à l'heure. The subject "le train" is a third person singular: the form is "est". The word "à" that follows is the preposition, not the verb avoir.

Nous sommes au complet. The first person plural of être is "sommes", which shares no shape at all with "suis": that is what makes this verb irregular.

Vous êtes les bienvenus. The second person plural of être carries a circumflex accent and does not take the usual ending -ez.

Les rues sont désertes. The subject is plural, so the form is "sont". Take care not to write "ont", which belongs to the verb avoir.

On est bien ici. "On" is always conjugated like "il", so the form is "est", even when "on" names several people.

Ma sœur et moi sommes du même avis. Two subjects joined by "et", one of which is "moi", amount to "nous": the form is therefore "sommes".

Ces chaussures sont trop petites. The subject is plural, so "sont".

Elle est contente de son travail. Third person singular, so "est".

J'ai une idée. The first person singular of avoir is "ai", and "je" is elided in front of it: one writes "j'ai", never "je ai".

Tu as de la chance. The second person singular of avoir is "as", with no accent: the accent belongs to the preposition "à", which is not a verb.

Le chat a faim. Third person singular, so "a" with no accent. The change-of-tense test confirms it: "le chat avait faim".

Nous avons le temps. The first person plural of avoir is "avons", which takes up the sound of the infinitive at last.

Vous avez raison. The second person plural of avoir is "avez", regular this time, unlike "vous êtes".

Les enfants ont sommeil. The subject is plural, so "ont". It is the form not to be confused with "on", which is a subject pronoun.

On a encore du pain. "On" is conjugated like "il", so the form is "a".

Mon voisin et sa femme ont trois chiens. Two subjects joined by "et" amount to a plural: the form is "ont".

Cette maison a un grand jardin. Third person singular, so "a" with no accent.

Elles ont toutes les deux la même veste. The subject "elles" is plural: the form is "ont".

Les invités sont déjà là. What the sentence states is the state the guests are in, so the verb is être. The test confirms it: "les invités étaient déjà là" holds perfectly.

Les invités ont tous apporté quelque chose. Here the verb serves to build a past and not to say a state: it is avoir. The replacement test with "étaient" fails, so it is not être.

Tu es très en avance. The sentence says what state you are in: the verb is être.

Tu as vraiment de la patience. The sentence says what you have: the verb is avoir. The turn of phrase "avoir de la patience" lines up with "avoir faim" and "avoir raison".

Nous avons deux places au fond. The sentence says what we have: the verb is avoir.

Nous sommes assis au fond. The sentence says what position we are in: the verb is être.

Vous avez l'air fatigué. The turn of phrase "avoir l'air" always uses the verb avoir, even though it describes a state: it is an expression to be known as it stands.

Vous avez besoin d'aide. The turn of phrase "avoir besoin de" uses the verb avoir, like "avoir faim", "avoir soif" and "avoir peur".

Elle a peur des orages. The turn of phrase "avoir peur" uses the verb avoir, although it does describe a state: it is a case to be memorised, like "avoir faim" and "avoir soif".

Elle est courageuse. Here it really is a state, and an adjective follows: the verb is être.

Mon frère a treize ans. It is the verb avoir, with no accent: the change-of-tense test proves it, since "mon frère avait treize ans" stands up.

Nous allons à la piscine. It is the preposition "à", with an accent: it is not conjugated, and "nous allons avait la piscine" does not exist.

Elle pense à autre chose. The preposition "à", with an accent, brought in by the verb penser.

Le chien a mangé sa gamelle. It is the verb avoir, with no accent: the test gives "le chien avait mangé sa gamelle".

On part dans cinq minutes. It is the subject pronoun "on", which commands the verb "part". The sentence needs a subject, and "ont" is not one.

Les voisins ont repeint leur portail. It is the verb avoir: the subject "les voisins" is already there, and the test gives "les voisins avaient repeint".

On ne sait jamais. The subject pronoun "on", which commands "sait". Without it, the sentence would no longer have a subject.

Ils ont trouvé la solution. The verb avoir: the subject "ils" is already there, and the test gives "ils avaient trouvé".

Le pain est encore chaud. It is the verb être: the test gives "le pain était encore chaud".

Il achète du pain et du lait. It is the linking word "et", which joins two things and is not conjugated.

Ce livre est à moi. It is the verb être: the test gives "ce livre était à moi". The "à" that follows, for its part, really is the preposition.

Elle range son manteau. It is the small word "son", which goes with the noun "manteau". Replacing it with "mon" works, which never happens with a verb.

Les manteaux sont au vestiaire. It is the verb être in the plural: the test gives "les manteaux étaient au vestiaire".

Il a perdu son écharpe. It is the small word "son", which goes with the noun "écharpe": it can be replaced by "mon".

La salle est pleine. The subject is "la salle", third person singular of the verb être.

Les musiciens ont déjà accordé leurs instruments. The subject is plural, and the verb used is avoir: the form is "ont".

On éteint les lumières. The subject pronoun "on" is what is needed, since the sentence has no other subject to command "éteint".

Le premier morceau est très court. The verb être, third person singular.

Nous avons des places au troisième rang. The verb avoir, first person plural: the form is "avons".

Ma voisine a le programme sur les genoux. The sentence says what she has: the verb is avoir, in the third person singular, so "a" with no accent.

Les enfants du rang devant sont sages. What is well behaved is the children, in the plural: the form is "sont". The word "devant" right in front of the verb changes nothing.

Tu es content d'être venu et tu me le dis tout bas. The verb être in the second person singular gives "es"; the linking word that joins the two halves of the sentence is "et".

Vous avez raison de rester jusqu'au bout. The verb avoir, second person plural: "avez".

Le concert est fini à onze heures et la salle est longue à se vider. The verb être twice in the third person singular, and between them the linking word "et".

Je finis mon travail avant midi. In the singular, verbs of the finir type take -is, -is, -it: the syllable -iss- appears only in the plural.

Tu choisis toujours le même plat. Second person singular in -is, with no -iss- syllable.

L'arbre grandit vite. Third person singular in -it. The subject "l'arbre" is singular, despite the elided article that can cause hesitation.

Nous remplissons les bouteilles. In the plural, the syllable -iss- appears, followed by the ending -ons.

Vous réfléchissez trop longtemps. The same syllable -iss-, followed this time by the ending -ez.

Les voitures ralentissent au virage. The subject is plural: the syllable -iss- followed by the ending -ent, which is not pronounced.

On applaudit à la fin du morceau. "On" is conjugated like "il", therefore in the singular: the ending is -it and the syllable -iss- does not appear.

Les enfants obéissent sans discuter. A plural subject, so the syllable -iss- and the ending -ent.

Le pain durcit en deux jours. A singular subject, so the ending -it.

Nous avertissons les voisins. First person plural: the syllable -iss- and the ending -ons.

Je pars à six heures. Outside the -er verbs, the first person singular takes -s. Careful: partir is not of the finir type, and "je partis" does not exist in the présent.

Tu dors encore. Second person singular in -s. The stem loses the m of dormir, which comes back only in the plural: nous dormons.

Elle sort le chien. Third person singular in -t. The stem loses the t of sortir, exactly as dormir loses its m.

Je vois la mer d'ici. First person singular in -s. The stem of voir is "voi-" in the singular and "voy-" in front of the endings of "nous" and of "vous".

Tu prends le bus ou le train ? Second person singular in -s, added to the stem prend-.

Il prend toujours le même chemin. Third person singular with no visible ending: the stem already ends in a d, and the language does not add a t behind it.

Je peux t'aider. Pouvoir is the exception in the singular, with -x instead of -s. The form "je peus" does not exist.

Tu veux du sucre ? Vouloir follows the same exception as pouvoir: -x in the first and in the second person singular.

Nous allons au marché le samedi. The person "nous" of aller takes up the stem of the infinitive: all-, plus the ending -ons.

Vous allez trop vite. The same stem all-, ending -ez: that person is regular.

Ils vont chez leur grand-mère. The third person plural of aller is "vont", which takes up the stem of the singular and not the one of "nous".

Nous faisons le tour du lac. The person "nous" of faire is regular, and the stem fais- is not pronounced as it is written: it is one of the rare forms in the language in that case.

Vous faites beaucoup de bruit. An irregular form to be known: it does not take the ending -ez, and "vous faisez" does not exist.

Les élèves font leurs exercices. Third person plural of faire: "font", like "vont" and "sont", all of them in -ont.

Nous disons toujours la vérité. The person "nous" of dire is regular: stem dis-, ending -ons.

Vous dites n'importe quoi. A second irregular form of the same kind as "vous faites": "vous disez" does not exist.

Ils disent que c'est fermé. Third person plural of dire: the silent ending -ent on the stem dis-.

Tu vas où comme ça ? Second person singular of aller, on the stem va-.

On fait une pause. "On" is conjugated like "il": the form is "fait".

Elle dit bonjour à tout le monde. Third person singular of dire, with the ending -t on the stem di-.

On dit que l'hiver sera doux. "On" is conjugated like "il": the ending -t on the stem di-.

Il fait beau ce matin. Third person singular of faire, with the ending -t on the stem fai-.

Tu vas mieux. Second person singular of aller, on the stem va-: that stem has nothing to do with the infinitive, and an s is very much needed after it.

Nous pouvons commencer. The person "nous" of pouvoir takes the stem pouv-, the one that recalls the infinitive.

Ils peuvent attendre dehors. The third person plural takes a different stem, peuv-, and the silent ending -ent.

Vous voulez un peu de thé ? The person "vous" of vouloir takes the stem voul-, close to the infinitive.

Elles veulent toutes la même chose. Third person plural: stem veul-, silent ending -ent. That change of stem between "vous" and "elles" is exactly the one of pouvoir.

Nous venons de loin. The person "nous" of venir keeps the stem ven- of the infinitive.

Ils viennent chaque été. The third person plural doubles the n: "viennent". It is the mark of that family of verbs.

Vous prenez le premier à droite. The person "vous" of prendre keeps the stem pren-, without the d of the infinitive.

Les enfants prennent leur goûter. Third person plural: the n doubles, as in "ils viennent".

Nous voyons mal d'ici. In front of the ending -ons, which is heard, the stem of voir takes a y, exactly as the stem of a -yer verb keeps its own in front of an ending that is heard.

Vous voyez la différence ? The same stem voy- in front of the ending -ez.

Ils voient le sommet. In front of the silent ending -ent, the stem goes back to voi-, as in the singular.

Nous comprenons le problème. Comprendre is conjugated like prendre: stem compren- with "nous", without the d of the infinitive.

Elle vient avec nous. Third person singular of venir: the stem becomes vien- in the singular, where it is ven- with "nous", and it does not double its n.

Chaque dimanche, nous allons au marché de la place. First person plural of aller, on the stem all-.

Ma mère choisit les légumes et je porte le panier. Choisir is of the finir type, in the singular here, so the ending -it; porter is in -er, with "je" so the ending -e.

Les marchands crient leurs prix. An -er verb in the plural: the silent ending -ent added to the stem cri-. The form is therefore written with an i followed by -ent.

Tu veux toujours t'arrêter devant le stand de fromages. Second person singular of vouloir, with the -x of the family of pouvoir. "Arrêter" stays in the infinitive because it follows another verb.

Nous prenons le même chemin du retour. The person "nous" of prendre loses the d of the infinitive: pren- plus -ons.

Vous faites la queue chez le boulanger. An irregular form of faire, without the ending -ez.

On dit que son pain est le meilleur de la ville. "On" is conjugated like "il": "dit". And the second verb is être in the third person singular: "est".

Les enfants finissent leur brioche avant la maison. A verb of the finir type in the plural: the syllable -iss- and the silent ending -ent.

Ils ont toujours faim. Third person plural of avoir: "ont", not to be confused with the pronoun "on".

Nous rangeons les courses et la matinée est finie. Ranger is a -ger verb: a linking e in front of the ending -ons. The second verb is être in the third person singular.

Nous commençons toujours par le plus dur. A -cer verb at the person "nous": the cedilla is needed in front of the ending -ons.

Vous dites que ce n'est pas grave. An irregular form of dire, which does not take the ending -ez.

Le voisin du dessous a une nouvelle voiture. The subject is "le voisin du dessous", in the singular: the third person singular of avoir is "a", with no accent.

Les portes sont déjà fermées. A plural subject and the verb être: the form is "sont".

Tu jettes les épluchures. Jeter doubles its t in front of the silent ending -es.

Elles viennent sans prévenir. Third person plural of venir: the n doubles.

On peut essayer autrement. "On" is conjugated like "il": the form of pouvoir is "peut", with a t.

Ma tante et ses filles vont au bord de la mer. Two subjects joined by "et" amount to a plural: the third person plural of aller is "vont".

Je finis dans un instant. A verb of the finir type in the singular: the ending -is, with no -iss- syllable.

Le paquet de gâteaux ne pèse presque rien. What weighs is the packet, in the singular, and not "gâteaux". Peser takes a grave accent in front of a silent ending: "pèse".

Vous faites une erreur. A second irregular form of faire, with no ending -ez.

Les enfants veulent rester dehors. Third person plural of vouloir: stem veul- and silent ending -ent.

Nous essuyons la vaisselle ensemble. A -yer verb at the person "nous": the y stays, because the ending -ons is heard.

Il prend son manteau et il sort. Prendre in the third person singular takes no t behind its d; sortir takes the ending -t on a stem cut back to sor-.

Les rues du centre sont très étroites. What is narrow is the streets, in the plural: the form is "sont". The word "centre", in the singular, is the trap.

Tu vois le clocher là-bas ? Second person singular of voir: stem voi- and ending -s.

Les enfants jouent dans la cour. The subject is plural, so the ending is -ent and not -e. The mistake came from the agreement, not from the choice of tense.

Vous faites trop de bruit. The form "faisez" does not exist: faire is irregular at that person, and the ending -ez does not apply to it.

Nous mangeons à midi et demi. Manger is a -ger verb: an e is needed in front of the ending -ons, without which the g changes sound.

Ils prennent le train de sept heures. The subject is plural: the form is "prennent", with a double n, and not the singular "prend".

Le chien des voisins aboie toute la nuit. What barks is the dog, in the singular: the verb must not follow "voisins", which is not the subject.

Tu vas bien ? The second person singular of aller takes an s: "vas". The form "va" is the one of the third person.

Nous finissons nos devoirs et ils finissent les leurs. The second verb has a plural subject, "ils", and therefore had to carry the ending -ent with the syllable -iss-.

Vous dites toujours la même chose. As with faire, the regular form in -ez does not exist for dire at that person.

On est en retard. "On" is conjugated like "il", therefore in the singular: "est" and not "sont".

Je peux venir demain. The first person singular of pouvoir takes an x, not a t: "je peut" does not exist.

Les voitures ralentissent au virage. The subject is plural: the syllable -iss- and the ending -ent are both needed.

Elle appelle son frère. Appeler doubles its l in front of a silent ending: "appele" with a single l does not exist.

Les élèves choisissent leur livre. The subject goes into the plural, so the verb of the finir type takes the syllable -iss- and the ending -ent. The word "son" becomes "leur", since the book now belongs to several people; "leurs livres" is just as correct, depending on whether you mean one book each or several.

Les trains partent à huit heures. The plural subject brings the ending -ent on the stem part-, which gets its t back.

Elles viennent tous les jeudis. In the plural, venir doubles its n: "viennent".

Ils prennent leur parapluie. Prendre doubles its n in the plural, and the word "son" becomes "leur". Here again, "leurs parapluies" is equally correct.

Les camions avancent lentement. The -cer verb takes the silent ending -ent, and no cedilla is needed here since the c is followed by an e.

Vous voyez la différence. The plural of "tu" is "vous": the stem of voir becomes voy- in front of the ending -ez.

Les lampes sont allumées. The verb être goes into the plural, and the adjective that follows agrees as well.

Ces chiens ont peur de l'eau. The plural subject brings "ont", and the determiner "ce" becomes "ces".

Les boulangers font leur pain eux-mêmes. Faire in the plural gives "font"; "lui-même" becomes "eux-mêmes".

Ils vont à la piscine le mercredi. Aller in the third person plural gives "vont".

L'enfant vient de rentrer. In the singular, venir loses the double n: "vient".

Je prends le petit chemin. The first person singular of prendre adds an s to the stem prend-.

Tu peux entrer. The singular of "vous pouvez" is "tu peux", with the x of the family of pouvoir.

Il veut tout savoir. In the singular, vouloir takes the stem veu- and the ending -t.

Le voisin va déménager. Aller in the third person singular gives "va", with no s.

Je vois la mer depuis la fenêtre. In the singular, the stem of voir goes back to voi-.

L'élève finit son exercice. In the singular, the syllable -iss- disappears and the ending is -it. The determiner "leur" becomes "son".

Elle est très patiente. The verb être goes into the singular, and the adjective that follows loses its plural mark.

Il a raison. The third person singular of avoir is "a", with no accent.

Je fais le tour du parc. The singular of "nous faisons" is "je fais", with the ending -s.

Je regardais par la fenêtre. The stem is regard-, the one of the infinitive, and the table gives the ending of the first person singular: -ais.

Tu chantais en travaillant. The same ending -ais as with "je": in the imparfait, the first two persons of the singular are told apart only by their subject.

Il marchait très vite. The ending -ait, that of the third person singular. It is pronounced like -ais, and only the subject makes the choice possible.

Nous habitions au dernier étage. The ending -ions, in which one hears the i that separates the imparfait from the présent "nous habitons".

Vous arriviez toujours les premiers. The ending -iez, not to be confused with the -ez of the présent: the i is hardly heard but is always written.

Ils jouaient dans la cour. The ending -aient: the tense marker -ai- is heard in it, and the -ent that follows is silent. The form is therefore pronounced like "il jouait", and only the subject tells them apart.

On fermait les volets à la nuit. "On" is conjugated like "il": the ending -ait.

Ma grand-mère préparait la soupe le dimanche. A singular subject, so the ending -ait. The imparfait fits here because this is a habit.

Les cloches sonnaient à midi. A plural subject, so the ending -aient.

Tu oubliais toujours ton parapluie. The stem is oubli-, the one of the infinitive: the ending -ais is added behind it, which gives two vowels in a row.

Grandir, nous grandissons, je grandissais. The syllable -iss- belongs to the stem of the imparfait for every verb of this type, since it is already there in the form with "nous".

Prendre, nous prenons, je prenais. The stem of the imparfait is pren-, without the d of the infinitive: it really is the form with "nous" that gives it, and not the infinitive.

Faire, nous faisons, je faisais. The stem fais- is pronounced otherwise than it is written, in the imparfait as in the présent.

Voir, nous voyons, je voyais. The stem of the imparfait is voy-, that of the form with "nous", and not the voi- of the singular of the présent.

Dire, nous disons, je disais. Stem dis-, regular in the imparfait.

Venir, nous venons, je venais. The stem is ven-, without the double n of the plural of the présent: the rule of the two moves is exactly what avoids that mistake.

Pouvoir, nous pouvons, je pouvais. Stem pouv-, that of the form with "nous".

Vouloir, nous voulons, je voulais. Stem voul-, that of the form with "nous", and not the veu- of the singular.

Aller, nous allons, j'allais. The stem all- really does come from the form with "nous": neither "je vais" nor "ils vont" would have given it.

Manger, nous mangeons, je mangeais. The stem mange- keeps its e in front of the ending -ais, which begins with an a: it is the same rule of sound as in the présent. Careful, that e disappears in front of the endings of "nous" and of "vous", and chapter 7 comes back to it.

Commencer, nous commençons, je commençais. The cedilla is kept in front of the ending -ais, for the same reason of sound.

Avoir, nous avons, j'avais. The stem av- comes from the form with "nous". Avoir is therefore not an exception: the one exception in the language is the verb être.

J'étais très fatigué ce soir-là. Être is the only verb whose imparfait stem is not drawn from the form with "nous": it is ét-.

Tu avais dix ans à l'époque. Stem av-, ending -ais.

Il faisait nuit quand nous sommes partis. Stem fais-, ending -ait.

Nous allions à l'école à pied. Stem all-, ending -ions. The imparfait fits because this is a past habit.

Vous preniez le même train que moi. Stem pren-, ending -iez: no d, no double n.

Ils venaient nous voir chaque été. Stem ven-, ending -aient. The n does not double in the imparfait, unlike in the présent.

On disait que la maison était hantée. Stem dis-, ending -ait for "on". The second verb of the sentence is the famous "était".

Elle voulait devenir vétérinaire. Stem voul-, ending -ait.

Les enfants pouvaient jouer dehors jusqu'à la nuit. Stem pouv-, ending -aient.

Nous voyions la mer depuis le grenier. Stem voy-, ending -ions: the two i follow one another and both are written, even though the ear hears only one.

Le boulanger était déjà debout à quatre heures. The stem ét- of the verb être, ending -ait.

Vous aviez raison de vous méfier. Stem av-, ending -iez.

La maison était au bout du chemin. The verb être in the third person singular of the imparfait: stem ét-.

Un grand tilleul couvrait presque tout le jardin. The stem comes from "nous couvrons": couvr-, plus the ending -ait.

Nous arrivions toujours en fin d'après-midi. Stem arriv-, ending -ions.

Ma grand-mère nous attendait sur le pas de la porte. The stem comes from "nous attendons": attend-, plus the ending -ait.

Elle avait un tablier bleu et des mains très froides. Stem av-, ending -ait.

Les poules couraient partout dans la cour. The stem comes from "nous courons": cour-, plus the ending -aient.

Mon frère et moi allions chercher l'eau au puits. Two subjects one of which is "moi" amount to "nous": the ending is therefore -ions.

On entendait le train derrière la colline. Stem entend-, drawn from "nous entendons", plus the ending -ait.

Le soir, nous dînions dehors quand il faisait beau. The stem comes from "nous dînons", and the ending is -ions. The second verb gives "faisait", on the stem fais-.

Personne ne voulait rentrer avant la nuit. "Personne" is a singular subject despite what it means: the ending is -ait.

Nous criions très fort. The stem is cri-, drawn from "nous crions", and the ending -ions is added whole: both i are written.

Vous criiez dans le couloir. The same stem cri- and the ending -iez: there again, two i in a row.

Nous oubliions toujours quelque chose. Stem oubli- plus the ending -ions. The form surprises the eye, and it is nevertheless the only correct one.

Vous étudiiez le soir. Stem étudi- plus the ending -iez.

Nous payions chacun notre part. Stem pay-, drawn from "nous payons", plus the ending -ions: a single i, the one from the ending, slipped in behind the y.

Vous essuyiez la table après le repas. Stem essuy- plus the ending -iez: a single i there again, and it is hardly heard behind the y.

Nous travaillions le samedi. Stem travaill- plus the ending -ions: the i of the ending is added behind the group ill, and it is alone.

Vous réveilliez toute la maison. Stem réveill- plus the ending -iez, on the same model: one i, written without being heard.

Nous gagnions souvent. Stem gagn- plus the ending -ions: there is no double i here, but the i of the ending is written all the same, while the ear does not hear it at all behind the group gn.

Vous soigniez les animaux. Stem soign- plus the ending -iez, on the same model as gagner: a single i, silent, and compulsory nevertheless.

Je mangeais à la cantine. The ending -ais begins with an a: the linking e is therefore needed so that the g keeps its sound.

Nous mangions à la cantine. The ending -ions begins with an i: the linking e disappears, because it has nothing left to do.

Tu commençais toujours par la fin. The ending -ais begins with an a: the cedilla is needed.

Vous commenciez trop tard. The ending -iez begins with an i: the cedilla disappears.

Il avançait sans regarder. The ending -ait, so the cedilla is kept.

Nous avancions en file. The ending -ions, so the cedilla is given up.

Elles nageaient tous les matins. The ending -aient, which begins with an a: the linking e stays.

Vous nagiez mieux que moi. The ending -iez, which begins with an i: the e disappears.

On lançait des cailloux dans l'eau. The ending -ait, so the cedilla is kept.

Nous partagions tout. The ending -ions, so no linking e.

En ce moment, nous travaillons sur un autre projet. The group "en ce moment" places the action in the present: the présent is therefore what is needed, and the form has only one i.

À l'époque, nous travaillions sur le même projet. The group "à l'époque" points to the past: it is the imparfait, and the form carries two i.

Autrefois, les rues étaient éclairées au gaz. "Autrefois" imposes the imparfait, and the verb être takes the stem ét- in it.

Aujourd'hui, les rues sont éclairées à l'électricité. "Aujourd'hui" imposes the présent: the form is "sont".

Chaque été de mon enfance, nous allions au bord de la mer. The group points to a past habit: it is the imparfait, with the ending -ions.

Cette année, nous allons à la montagne. "Cette année" places things in the present: the form is "allons".

Quand j'étais petit, j'avais peur du noir. The first half of the sentence is already in the imparfait: the second has to follow, with the stem av-.

Maintenant, je n'ai plus peur du tout. "Maintenant" imposes the présent: the form is "ai".

Il y a dix ans, ce quartier était désert le dimanche. The group points to the past, and the state described lasted: it is the imparfait.

Ce dimanche, le quartier est plein de monde. The group points to the moment of speaking: it is the présent.

En ce temps-là, on prenait le bateau pour y aller. The group points to the past, and the imparfait suits a habit: stem pren-, ending -ait.

De nos jours, on prend le pont. The group points to the present: the form is "prend", with no added t.

Vous faites beaucoup de bruit. Présent, and an irregular form of faire at that person.

Vous faisiez moins de bruit avant. Imparfait: stem fais- plus the ending -iez. The regularity of the imparfait here makes up for the irregularity of the présent.

Nous venions chaque semaine. Imparfait: stem ven-, with no double n, plus the ending -ions.

Nous venons pour la dernière fois. Présent: stem ven- plus the ending -ons.

Les enfants finissent leur repas. Présent, a verb of the finir type in the plural: the syllable -iss- and the ending -ent.

Les enfants finissaient toujours par s'endormir. Imparfait: the syllable -iss- is already in the stem, and the ending is -aient.

Tu pouvais me le dire plus tôt. Imparfait: stem pouv- plus the ending -ais.

Tu peux encore changer d'avis. Présent: stem peu- and the ending -x, particular to this verb.

On disait qu'il ne reviendrait pas. Imparfait: stem dis- plus the ending -ait.

On dit qu'il est déjà là. Présent: stem di- plus the ending -t.

Elles veulent toutes la même chose. Présent, third person plural: stem veul-.

Elles voulaient partir avant la fin. Imparfait: stem voul- plus the ending -aient. The stem of the imparfait is the one of "nous voulons", not the one of the plural of the présent.

J'étais persuadé du contraire. Imparfait of the verb être, the only verb whose imparfait stem does not come from the form with "nous".

Je suis d'accord avec toi. Présent of the verb être in the first person singular.

Nous avions le temps. Imparfait: stem av- plus the ending -ions.

Nous avons cinq minutes. Présent: the form is "avons".

Demain, je rangerai ma chambre. You start from the infinitive ranger, whole, and add -ai: the e of the infinitive stays, even though it is not heard.

Tu finiras plus tard. The infinitive finir, whole, plus the ending -as. Verbs of the finir type have no -iss- syllable in the futur.

Il arrivera par le train de midi. The infinitive arriver plus the ending -a.

Nous partirons avant la pluie. The infinitive partir plus the ending -ons. The stem is not cut back as it is in the présent: the whole infinitive is kept.

Vous choisirez une place au calme. The infinitive choisir plus the ending -ez.

Ils rentreront à la nuit tombée. The infinitive rentrer plus the ending -ont. Both r that are heard come from the infinitive: the ending itself carries none.

On dormira mieux ici. The infinitive dormir plus the ending -a, "on" being conjugated like "il".

Les travaux dureront tout l'été. The infinitive durer plus the ending -ont, since the subject is plural.

Tu grandiras encore. The infinitive grandir plus the ending -as.

Je téléphonerai ce soir. The infinitive téléphoner plus the ending -ai. The e of the infinitive is not pronounced, and it is written.

Nous réfléchirons à ta proposition. The infinitive réfléchir plus the ending -ons.

Elle sortira dans dix minutes. The infinitive sortir plus the ending -a.

Je prendrai le premier train. The infinitive prendre loses its final e, and nothing else: prendr- is left, to which the ending -ai is added.

Tu diras ce que tu penses. The infinitive dire loses its final e: dir- plus the ending -as.

Il attendra sous le porche. The infinitive attendre without its e: attendr- plus the ending -a.

Nous comprendrons mieux demain. The infinitive comprendre without its e, plus the ending -ons.

Vous écrirez la réponse au dos. The infinitive écrire without its e: écrir- plus the ending -ez.

Ils mettront la table. The infinitive mettre without its e: mettr- keeps its two t, since only the final e is taken off.

On apprendra la nouvelle par le journal. The infinitive apprendre without its e, plus the ending -a.

Elle répondra dans la semaine. The infinitive répondre without its e, plus the ending -a.

Nous descendrons à l'arrêt suivant. The infinitive descendre without its e, plus the ending -ons.

Tu rendras le livre à la bibliothèque. The infinitive rendre without its e, plus the ending -as.

Je jouerai avec vous tout à l'heure. The infinitive is jouer: the e is written before the ending, even though one says "jourai".

Tu oublieras tout cela très vite. The infinitive is oublier: the e is written behind the i, which gives three letters that are not heard together.

Il criera si on le laisse seul. The infinitive is crier, so the e is there: "criera" and not "crira".

Nous étudierons la question demain. The infinitive is étudier, so the e is kept before the ending -ons.

Vous continuerez sans moi. The infinitive is continuer, so the e is kept, although the pronunciation does not give it.

Elles remercieront leurs hôtes. The infinitive is remercier, so the e is kept before the ending -ont.

On nettoiera la cuisine après. The infinitive is nettoyer: in the futur, the y becomes i for every -yer verb, and the e of the infinitive stays.

Les enfants essuieront leurs pieds. The infinitive is essuyer: the same change of y into i, and the e stays.

Tu plieras les draps. The infinitive is plier, so the e is kept before the ending -as.

Nous louerons une voiture sur place. The infinitive is louer, so the e is kept.

Je paierai ma part, or je payerai ma part. Verbs in -ayer allow both spellings in the futur as in the présent: the y may become i or stay.

Il appuiera sur le bouton rouge. The infinitive is appuyer: the y becomes i, and the e of the infinitive stays.

L'été prochain, nous partirons tous ensemble. The whole infinitive partir plus the ending -ons.

Mon frère louera une maison près de la rivière. The infinitive louer, whose e is written before the ending -a.

Nous arriverons le premier soir avant la nuit. The infinitive arriver plus the ending -ons.

Les enfants dormiront dans la grande chambre. The infinitive dormir plus the ending -ont.

Je préparerai le repas du premier jour. The infinitive préparer plus the ending -ai: the word carries three r, all of them coming from the infinitive, and none is left out.

Tu chercheras du bois pour la cheminée. The infinitive chercher plus the ending -as.

Vous nous rejoindrez le lendemain. The infinitive rejoindre, from which the final e is taken off, plus the ending -ez.

On marchera jusqu'au moulin. The infinitive marcher plus the ending -a.

Les journées passeront trop vite. The infinitive passer plus the ending -ont.

Nous rentrerons fatigués et contents. The infinitive rentrer plus the ending -ons.

Demain, je serai là dès huit heures. The futur stem of être is ser-, which comes neither from the infinitive nor from any form of the présent: it is learnt as it stands.

Tu auras la réponse avant midi. The stem aur- of the verb avoir, plus the ending -as.

Il ira chercher le pain. The stem ir- of the verb aller, plus the ending -a. That stem keeps not one letter of its infinitive, and that is what makes it impossible to guess.

Nous ferons le trajet en une heure. The stem fer- of the verb faire, plus the ending -ons.

Vous viendrez avec nous ? The stem viendr- of the verb venir, with a d that exists nowhere in the présent, plus the ending -ez.

Ils pourront entrer par derrière. The stem pourr- of the verb pouvoir, with two r, plus the ending -ont.

On verra bien ce qui se passe. The stem verr- of the verb voir, with two r, plus the ending -a.

Elle voudra sûrement essayer. The stem voudr- of the verb vouloir, with a d, plus the ending -a.

Nous saurons tout dans deux jours. The stem saur- of the verb savoir, plus the ending -ons.

Tu devras recommencer. The stem devr- of the verb devoir, plus the ending -as.

Les invités seront trente. The stem ser- of the verb être, plus the ending -ont, since the subject is plural.

J'irai mieux la semaine prochaine. The stem ir- of the verb aller, plus the ending -ai, in front of which "je" is elided.

Nous prendrons la route de bonne heure. Prendre is regular in the futur: only the e of the infinitive is taken off.

Vous irez plus vite par l'autre chemin. Aller is irregular: stem ir-, plus the ending -ez.

Je dirai la vérité. Dire is regular: the e of the infinitive is taken off, which gives dir-.

Tu feras attention aux marches. Faire is irregular: stem fer-.

Elle finira avant nous. Finir is regular: the infinitive stays whole.

Ils auront besoin d'aide. Avoir is irregular: stem aur-.

On attendra le dernier moment. Attendre is regular: the final e is taken off.

Nous verrons cela demain. Voir is irregular: stem verr-, with two r that are written without being heard in most mouths.

Vous choisirez vous-mêmes. Choisir is regular: the infinitive stays whole.

Je pourrai passer en fin de journée. Pouvoir is irregular: stem pourr-, with two r.

Les enfants voudront tout goûter. Vouloir is irregular: stem voudr-.

Le train partira sans nous. Partir is regular: the infinitive stays whole.

Nous serons prêts à l'heure. Être is irregular: stem ser-.

Tu viendras me chercher ? Venir is irregular: stem viendr-.

Il jouera toute la soirée. Jouer is regular, and its silent e is written before the ending.

Elles sauront quoi répondre. Savoir is irregular: stem saur-.

Nous allons au marché. Présent: stem all- and ending -ons.

Nous allions au marché chaque semaine. Imparfait: the stem comes from "nous allons", and the ending is -ions.

Nous irons au marché demain. Futur: the irregular stem ir- and the ending -ons.

Tu étais plus patient avant. Imparfait of the verb être, on the stem ét-.

Tu seras content du résultat. Futur of the verb être, on the stem ser-.

Vous faites du bon travail. Présent, an irregular form of faire at that person.

Vous ferez mieux la prochaine fois. Futur: stem fer- and ending -ez.

Ils venaient souvent. Imparfait: stem ven-, with no double n, and ending -aient.

Ils viendront dimanche. Futur: stem viendr- and ending -ont.

J'ai un doute. Présent of the verb avoir in the first person singular.

J'avais tort. Imparfait: stem av- and ending -ais.

On pourra recommencer. Futur: stem pourr- and ending -a.

Elle voit très bien de loin. Présent: stem voi- and ending -t.

Elle verra la différence tout de suite. Futur: stem verr- and ending -a.

Nous finissions toujours trop tard. Imparfait: the syllable -iss- is in the stem, and the ending is -ions.

Nous finirons avant la nuit. Futur: the infinitive stays whole, with no -iss- syllable, plus the ending -ons.

Demain, je ferai les courses. The verb faire goes into the futur on the stem fer-, and nothing else moves in the sentence.

Demain, tu iras chez le médecin. The verb aller takes its stem ir- in the futur.

Demain, nous serons en retard. The verb être takes its stem ser-.

Demain, ils auront de la chance. The verb avoir takes its stem aur-.

Demain, vous prendrez le bus. Prendre is regular in the futur: the e of the infinitive is taken off.

Demain, elle viendra déjeuner. Venir takes its irregular stem viendr-.

Demain, on ne pourra pas sortir. Pouvoir takes its stem pourr-, and the negative changes nothing in the conjugation.

Demain, les magasins fermeront tôt. Fermer is regular: the whole infinitive plus the ending -ont.

Demain, je verrai mes cousins. Voir takes its stem verr-, with two r.

Demain, tu sauras ce qu'il faut faire. Savoir takes its stem saur-. The instruction asked for the main verb alone to be changed: "ce qu'il faudra faire" would be just as correct, and it is even what one would write when carrying the whole sentence over.

The auxiliary is "avons", the past participle is "chanté", and the infinitive of the verb being told about is chanter. The auxiliary is the verb avoir conjugated in the présent with "nous".

The auxiliary is "as", the past participle is "fini", the infinitive is finir. Verbs of this type make their past participle in -i.

The auxiliary is "a", the past participle is "pris", the infinitive is prendre. The participle ends in an s that is not heard.

The auxiliary is "ont", the past participle is "dit", the infinitive is dire. The participle ends in a silent t.

The auxiliary is "ai", the past participle is "vu", the infinitive is voir. The participle looks like no other form of the verb.

The auxiliary is "avez", the past participle is "fait", the infinitive is faire.

The auxiliary is "a", the past participle is "voulu", the infinitive is vouloir. The subject is "on", which is conjugated like "il".

The auxiliary is "avons", the past participle is "eu", the infinitive is avoir. That participle is written with two letters of which only one is pronounced.

The auxiliary is "a", the past participle is "été", the infinitive is être. The verb être builds its passé composé with the auxiliary avoir, and not with itself.

The auxiliary is "ont", the past participle is "pu", the infinitive is pouvoir.

Hier, j'ai rangé le grenier. The auxiliary avoir is conjugated in the présent with "je", and the past participle of an -er verb ends in -é.

Tu as fini ton travail à temps. Auxiliary "as" and participle "fini": verbs of the finir type make their participle in -i.

Il a fermé la porte à clé. Auxiliary "a" with no accent, participle "fermé".

Nous avons regardé le match jusqu'au bout. Auxiliary "avons", participle "regardé".

Vous avez choisi la meilleure place. Auxiliary "avez", participle "choisi".

Ils ont chanté toute la soirée. Auxiliary "ont", not to be confused with the pronoun "on", and participle "chanté".

On a attendu une heure sous la pluie. "On" is conjugated like "il", so the auxiliary is "a". The participle of attendre is "attendu".

Ma sœur a perdu ses clés. Auxiliary "a", participle "perdu", like attendre, entendre, rendre and répondre: those -dre verbs all make their participle in -u.

Les enfants ont mangé tout le gâteau. Auxiliary "ont", participle "mangé".

J'ai oublié de te prévenir. Auxiliary "ai", participle "oublié": the verb that follows, "prévenir", stays in the infinitive because it is brought in by "de".

Nous avons travaillé tout le week-end. Auxiliary "avons", participle "travaillé".

Elle a répondu tout de suite. Auxiliary "a", participle "répondu".

J'ai eu très peur. The past participle of avoir is "eu", and the auxiliary is avoir itself: the verb is therefore conjugated with itself.

Tu as fait une belle erreur. Participle "fait", which ends in a silent t.

Il a dit le contraire ce matin. Participle "dit", with a silent t as well.

Nous avons pris le mauvais chemin. Participle "pris", with a silent s.

Vous avez vu le début du film ? Participle "vu", very short and with no silent letter.

Ils ont pu entrer sans payer. The participle "pu" of the verb pouvoir. The verb "entrer" that follows stays in the infinitive.

On a voulu essayer quand même. The participle "voulu" of the verb vouloir.

Elle a été malade toute la semaine. The participle "été" of the verb être, with the auxiliary avoir in front of it.

Nous avons compris la question de travers. Participle "compris", on the model of "pris".

Tu as mis longtemps à répondre. The participle "mis" of the verb mettre, with a silent s.

Les voisins ont entendu le bruit. Participle "entendu", on the model of attendre.

J'ai appris la nouvelle par le journal. Participle "appris", on the model of "pris".

Nous avons marché pendant deux heures. The test gives "nous avons vendu", so it is the past participle, in -é.

Nous allons marcher jusqu'au pont. The test gives "nous allons vendre", so it is the infinitive, in -er.

Il faut ranger la cuisine. The test gives "il faut vendre", so the infinitive.

J'ai rangé la cuisine. The test gives "j'ai vendu", so the past participle.

Elle a oublié son écharpe. The test gives "elle a vendu", so the past participle.

Elle va oublier son écharpe. The test gives "elle va vendre", so the infinitive.

Tu dois travailler davantage. The test gives "tu dois vendre", so the infinitive.

Tu as travaillé toute la nuit. The test gives "tu as vendu", so the past participle.

Nous avons commencé trop tard. The test gives "nous avons vendu", so the past participle.

Nous devons commencer tout de suite. The test gives "nous devons vendre", so the infinitive.

Ils ont chanté faux. The test gives "ils ont vendu", so the past participle.

Ils aiment chanter ensemble. The test gives "ils aiment vendre", so the infinitive.

Hier matin, j'ai poussé les volets très tôt. The auxiliary avoir in the présent with "je", past participle in -é.

Le chat a miaulé devant la porte pendant dix minutes. Auxiliary "a", participle "miaulé".

Nous avons déjeuné dans le jardin. Auxiliary "avons", participle "déjeuné".

Mon frère a téléphoné pour annoncer sa visite. Auxiliary "a", participle "téléphoné". The verb "annoncer" stays in the infinitive, since it is brought in by "pour".

Il a apporté des fruits et du fromage. Auxiliary "a", participle "apporté".

Nous avons parlé de tout et de rien. Auxiliary "avons", participle "parlé".

Les enfants ont joué au fond du jardin. Auxiliary "ont", participle "joué".

Ils ont grimpé dans le vieux cerisier. Auxiliary "ont", participle "grimpé".

Ma mère a crié qu'ils allaient tomber. Auxiliary "a", participle "crié". The verb "tomber" stays in the infinitive after "allaient".

Nous avons rangé la table à la nuit tombée et la journée a fini très bien. Two passé composé forms with the auxiliary avoir: the participles "rangé" and "fini".

Il a mangé. Manger is not in the list of verbs that use être: the auxiliary is therefore avoir.

Il est parti. Partir is in the list: the auxiliary is être, and the participle agrees with the subject, here masculine singular, so it takes no mark.

Il a chanté. Chanter is not in the list: auxiliary avoir.

Il est arrivé. Arriver is in the list: auxiliary être, with the participle agreeing in the masculine singular.

Il a fini. Finir is not in the list: auxiliary avoir.

Il est venu. Venir is in the list: auxiliary être.

Il a pris. Prendre is not in the list: auxiliary avoir.

Il est resté. Rester is in the list: auxiliary être.

Il a vu. Voir is not in the list: auxiliary avoir.

Il est tombé. Tomber is in the list: auxiliary être.

Il a dit. Dire is not in the list: auxiliary avoir.

Il est descendu. Descendre is in the list when it has no direct object behind it, which is the case here: auxiliary être.

Ma sœur est partie très tôt. Auxiliary être, so agreement with the subject: feminine singular, an e is added to the participle.

Mes cousines sont arrivées hier soir. A feminine plural subject: an e and an s are added.

Mon frère est resté à la maison. A masculine singular subject: the participle takes no mark.

Les garçons sont montés au premier étage. A masculine plural subject: an s is added. There is no direct object behind the verb ("au premier étage" says where one goes, not what one takes up), so the auxiliary stays être.

La voisine est tombée dans l'escalier. A feminine singular subject: an e is added.

Les deux filles sont venues à pied. A feminine plural subject: an e and an s are added.

Le voisin est sorti avant midi. A masculine singular subject: no mark. No direct object follows the verb ("avant midi" says when, not what), so the auxiliary is indeed être.

Ma mère est entrée sans frapper. A feminine singular subject: an e is added.

Les invités sont descendus au jardin. A masculine plural subject: an s is added.

Cette petite fille est née au printemps. A feminine singular subject: an e is added to the participle "né".

Les feuilles sont tombées toutes en une nuit. A feminine plural subject: an e and an s are added.

Mes grands-parents sont restés toute la semaine. A masculine plural subject: an s is added.

Les enfants ont mangé toute la tarte. Manger uses avoir: the participle does not agree with the subject.

Les enfants sont sortis dans la cour. Sortir uses être, with no direct object behind it ("dans la cour" says where, not what): agreement with the masculine plural subject, so an s.

Ma tante a préparé le repas. Préparer uses avoir: no agreement.

Ma tante est arrivée la première. Arriver uses être: agreement in the feminine singular, so an e.

Nous avons vu le début du spectacle. Voir uses avoir: no agreement.

Nous sommes restés jusqu'à la fin. Rester uses être: the participle therefore agrees with "nous", in the plural. The sentence does not say who that "nous" is: "restées" is just as correct if the group is entirely feminine.

Elle a fini son livre. Finir uses avoir: no agreement, despite the feminine subject.

Elle est partie sans rien dire. Partir uses être: agreement in the feminine singular, so an e.

Les chats ont dormi tout l'après-midi. Dormir uses avoir: no agreement.

Les chats sont venus réclamer à manger. Venir uses être: agreement in the masculine plural, so an s.

Vous avez choisi la bonne réponse. Choisir uses avoir: no agreement.

Vous êtes tombés dans le piège. Tomber uses être: the participle agrees with "vous". Nothing in the sentence says who that "vous" is: tombé, tombée, tombés and tombées are all four defensible, according to whether one person or several are being addressed, and according to their gender.

Mon oncle a dit le contraire. Dire uses avoir: no agreement.

Mon oncle est devenu très prudent. Devenir uses être: a masculine singular subject, so no mark, but the auxiliary does change.

Les ouvrières ont posé les fenêtres. Poser uses avoir: no agreement, despite the feminine plural subject.

Les ouvrières sont montées sur le toit. Monter uses être when no direct object follows it ("sur le toit" says where, not what): agreement in the feminine plural, so an e and an s.

Ma sœur est partie ce matin. The participle had to agree with the feminine singular subject: the e was missing.

Les invités sont arrivés en avance. The participle had to take the plural mark: the s was missing.

Elle est partie sans nous. The auxiliary was wrong: partir uses être, not avoir. Once the auxiliary is corrected, the agreement follows.

Mes cousines sont venues à pied. The participle had to agree in the feminine plural: the e and the s were missing.

Le train est arrivé à l'heure. The participle had taken a feminine mark that the subject did not call for: "le train" is masculine singular.

Nous sommes restés deux jours de plus. The auxiliary was wrong: rester uses être, which also brings the agreement of the participle with it.

Les filles sont tombées dans l'escalier. The participle had to agree in the feminine plural: the e and the s were missing.

Elle est venue me chercher. The participle had to take the e of the feminine singular.

Mon frère est resté à la maison. The participle had taken a feminine mark that the subject did not call for.

Les enfants sont venus tout de suite. The auxiliary was wrong: venir uses être. The participle, for its part, was already agreed in the masculine plural.

Nous prenons toujours le même chemin. Présent: stem pren-, without the d of the infinitive, plus the ending -ons.

Nous prenions le petit chemin autrefois. Imparfait: the stem comes from "nous prenons", and the ending is -ions.

Nous prendrons la route de la côte. Futur: the infinitive prendre loses its final e, plus the ending -ons.

Nous avons pris le train de nuit. Passé composé: the auxiliary avoir in the présent, plus the participle "pris".

Tu as fait du bon travail. Passé composé: auxiliary "as", participle "fait".

Tu feras mieux encore. Futur: the irregular stem fer-, plus the ending -as.

Elle venait chaque jeudi. Imparfait: stem ven-, with no double n, plus the ending -ait.

Elle est venue hier. Passé composé: venir uses the auxiliary être, and the participle agrees with the feminine singular subject.

Vous êtes en avance. Présent of the verb être, an irregular form at that person.

Vous étiez toujours en retard. Imparfait of the verb être, on the stem ét-.

Ils auront besoin de nous. Futur of the verb avoir, on the stem aur-.

Ils ont eu de la chance. Passé composé of the verb avoir: the auxiliary is avoir itself, and the participle is "eu".

Je finis à l'instant. Présent of a verb of the finir type in the singular: the ending -is.

J'ai fini il y a une heure. Passé composé: auxiliary "ai", participle "fini".

On ira voir ce qui se passe. Futur of the verb aller, on the stem ir-. The verb "voir" stays in the infinitive.

On est allé voir ce qui se passait. Passé composé: aller uses the auxiliary être, and "on" is conjugated in the singular.

Hier soir, nous sommes rentrés très tard. "Hier soir" places the action in a completed past: it is the passé composé, and rentrer uses the auxiliary être, hence the agreement in the plural.

En ce moment, il fait un froid terrible. "En ce moment" imposes the présent.

L'année prochaine, tu changeras d'école. "L'année prochaine" imposes the futur: the infinitive changer, whole, plus the ending -as.

Autrefois, on allait au moulin à pied. "Autrefois" imposes the imparfait, and this is a habit: stem all-, ending -ait.

Dans un instant, je finirai ce que j'ai commencé. "Dans un instant" looks ahead: it is the futur, on the whole infinitive finir.

Chaque matin de cet hiver-là, la vitre était couverte de givre. The group points to a past habit: it is the imparfait of the verb être.

La semaine dernière, vous avez vu le même spectacle. The group places the action in a completed past: passé composé, auxiliary avoir, participle "vu".

Dans dix minutes, ils seront là. The group looks ahead: futur of the verb être, on the stem ser-.

Aujourd'hui, les enfants ont piscine. "Aujourd'hui" imposes the présent: the form is "ont", from the verb avoir.

Quand j'étais petit, je voulais devenir marin. The first half of the sentence is in the imparfait: the second follows, on the stem voul-.

Ce matin, le facteur est venu deux fois. The action is completed in a recent past: passé composé, and venir uses the auxiliary être.

Demain, nous saurons enfin la réponse. "Demain" imposes the futur: the stem saur- of the verb savoir.

The infinitive is aller, and the form is in the futur. The stem ir- and the ending -ons signal it, and the r of the futur is heard.

The infinitive is dire, and the form is in the imparfait. The stem dis- comes from "nous disons", and the ending -iez is the one of the imparfait in the second person plural.

The infinitive is prendre, and the form is in the passé composé. Two words, an auxiliary in the présent and a past participle.

The infinitive is faire, and the form is in the présent, in the third person plural.

The infinitive is être, and the form is in the futur. The stem ser- and the ending -as show it.

The infinitive is avoir, and the form is in the imparfait, on the stem av-.

The infinitive is venir, and the form is in the passé composé, with the auxiliary être and a participle agreed in the masculine plural.

The infinitive is voir, and the form is in the futur, on the stem verr- with two r.

The infinitive is finir, and the form is in the imparfait, with the syllable -iss- in the stem and the ending -aient.

The infinitive is vouloir, and the form is in the passé composé, with the auxiliary avoir and the participle "voulu".

The infinitive is pouvoir, and the form is in the présent, in the second person plural.

The infinitive is être, and the form is in the futur, in the first person singular.

The infinitive is dire, and the form is in the passé composé, with the auxiliary avoir and the participle "dit".

The infinitive is prendre, and the form is in the imparfait, on the stem pren-.

The infinitive is partir, and the form is in the passé composé, with the auxiliary être and a participle agreed in the feminine plural.

The infinitive is faire, and the form is in the futur, on the stem fer-.

J'ai poussé la porte du magasin. Pousser uses the auxiliary avoir, and its past participle ends in -é.

La vendeuse m'a dit bonjour. Dire uses avoir, and its participle is "dit".

J'ai choisi deux paires de chaussettes. Choisir uses avoir, and its participle is "choisi".

Elle a rangé mes achats dans un sac. Ranger uses avoir, participle "rangé".

J'ai payé à la caisse. Payer uses avoir, and its past participle is "payé", in -é like every -er verb.

Elle m'a rendu la monnaie. Rendre uses avoir, and its participle is "rendu".

Je suis sorti sans regarder derrière moi. Sortir uses être, and no direct object follows it here: the participle therefore agrees with the subject. Only in the last sentence does the text say that this "je" is masculine; "je suis sortie" would be correct for a woman telling the story, provided the whole text is agreed the same way.

J'ai oublié mon parapluie sur le comptoir. Oublier uses avoir, participle "oublié".

Elle a appelé depuis la porte du magasin. Appeler uses avoir, participle "appelé".

Je suis venu le chercher, un peu honteux. Venir uses être, and the participle agrees with the subject.

In the imparfait: le dimanche, nous allions chez ma grand-mère. In the futur: le dimanche, nous irons chez ma grand-mère. Aller has a regular stem in the imparfait and an irregular stem in the futur.

In the imparfait: elle préparait une soupe épaisse. In the futur: elle préparera une soupe épaisse. Préparer is regular in both tenses.

In the imparfait: mon frère mettait la table. In the futur: mon frère mettra la table. The stem of the imparfait comes from "nous mettons"; the futur takes off the final e of the infinitive.

In the imparfait: les cousins arrivaient toujours en retard. In the futur: les cousins arriveront toujours en retard.

In the imparfait: on mangeait dans la cuisine. In the futur: on mangera dans la cuisine. In the imparfait, the linking e is needed because the g meets the ending -ait. In the futur there is nothing to touch up: the infinitive manger stays whole, and its e is not the one of the touch-up.

In the imparfait: personne ne voulait partir avant la nuit. In the futur: personne ne voudra partir avant la nuit. "Personne" is a singular subject.

In the imparfait: je faisais la vaisselle avec ma sœur. In the futur: je ferai la vaisselle avec ma sœur. Faire changes stem in the futur, not in the imparfait.

In the imparfait: nous prenions le dernier bus. In the futur: nous prendrons le dernier bus.

In the imparfait: ma grand-mère nous voyait du bout de la rue. In the futur: ma grand-mère nous verra du bout de la rue. Voir has the stem voy- in the imparfait and verr- in the futur.

In the imparfait: elle disait au revoir de la fenêtre. In the futur: elle dira au revoir de la fenêtre.