In the French language, there are several exceptions to look out for for when conjugating verbs and one of these exceptions include stem-changing verbs.
Stem-changing verbs have two different stems/radicals when conjugated to the present form. Stem-changing verbs utilize the same endings as the regular -er verbs in the present form, however the stem varies by the subject performing the action.
There are four common types of stem-changing verbs: accent grave verbs with accent aigu, accent grave verbs without an accent, doubled consonant verbs, and Y to I verbs. A common trend in all these types is that the subjects “nous” and “vous” possess the same stem that is different from the stem for all the other subjects. In other words, the first person plural and the second person plural use the same stem, while the singular subjects and the third person plural use the same stem.
Below are some example conjugations and verbs:
Accent grave verbs with accent aigu
Example: compléter – to complete
Je complète
Tu complètes
Il/Elle/On complète
Nous complétons
Vous complétez
Ils/Elles complètent
Other verbs: altérer, céder, célébrer, compléter, considérer, différer, espérer, exagérer, gérer, inquiéter, modérer, pénétrer, posséder, préférer, protéger, refléter, répéter, révéler, suggérer, zébrer
Accent grave verbs without an accent
Example: acheter – to buy
J’ achète
Tu achètes
Il/Elle/On achète
Nous achetons
Vous achetez
Ils/Elles achètent
Other verbs: amener, ciseler, corseter, crocheter, démanteler, écarteler, emmener, enlever, fileter, fureter, geler, haleter, harceler, lever, marteler, mener, modeler, peler, peser, promener
Doubled consonant verbs
Example: appeler – to call
J’ appelle
Tu appelles
Il/Elle/On appelle
Nous appelons
Vous appelez
Ils/Elles appellent
Other verbs with doubled “L”: chanceler, épeler, rappeler, renouveler, ruisseler
Verbs with doubled “T”: feuilleter, hoqueter, jeter, projeter, rejeter
Y to I verbs
Example: employer – to employ
J’ emploie
Tu emploies
Il/Elle/On emploie
Nous employons
Vous employez
Ils/Elles emploient
Other verbs: broyer, envoyer, nettoyer, se noyer, renvoyer, tutoyer, vouvoyer, appuyer, ennuyer, essuyer-ayer verbs with optional stem change (-aye and -aie are correct): balayer, effrayer, égayer, essayer, payer, rayer.
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