Exceptional Verbs in French: Stem-Changing Verbs

Exceptional Verbs in French: Stem-Changing Verbs

Exceptional Verbs in French: Stem-Changing Verbs 800 533 Teaching Staff

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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