Key takeaways
- French -IR verbs split into two groups: regular -IR verbs and irregular -IR verbs.
- Regular -IR verbs follow a consistent pattern in the present tense using endings: -is, -is, -it, -issons, -issez, -issent.
- A large group of common -IR verbs (partir, sortir, dormir, venir) are irregular and do not follow the regular pattern.
- Distinguishing between the two -IR subgroups early prevents the confusion that comes from applying the wrong pattern to common irregular verbs.
This guide covers the regular -IR conjugation pattern in full, the most common irregular -IR verbs, the other key tenses for -IR verbs, and a practice section. For over 15+ years, italki has connected learners with French tutors from its network of over 30,000 tutors who drill verb conjugation patterns until they become automatic in real conversation.
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Regular -IR verbs: The standard pattern
| Pronoun | Ending | Example: finir (to finish) |
|---|---|---|
| je | -is | je finis |
| tu | -is | tu finis |
| il/elle/on | -it | il finit |
| nous | -issons | nous finissons |
| vous | -issez | vous finissez |
| ils/elles | -issent | ils finissent |
The -iss- inserted before the nous, vous, and ils/elles endings is the defining feature of regular -IR verbs. Common regular -IR verbs include finir (finish), choisir (choose), réussir (succeed), réfléchir (think), grandir (grow up), and obéir (obey). Confidence with these patterns comes from seeing them used repeatedly in context. For broader French verb conjugation guidance, review the comprehensive guide to French verb conjugation, which covers all three verb groups.
Irregular -IR verbs: The second group
Partir, sortir, dormir, servir
| Pronoun | partir | sortir | dormir | servir |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| je | pars | sors | dors | sers |
| tu | pars | sors | dors | sers |
| il/elle | part | sort | dort | sert |
| nous | partons | sortons | dormons | servons |
| vous | partez | sortez | dormez | servez |
| ils/elles | partent | sortent | dorment | servent |
Venir and tenir
| Pronoun | venir | tenir |
|---|---|---|
| je | viens | tiens |
| tu | viens | tiens |
| il/elle | vient | tient |
| nous | venons | tenons |
| vous | venez | tenez |
| ils/elles | viennent | tiennent |
These verbs do not use the -iss- pattern, and their stems change across different pronouns. For the full landscape of French verb irregularity, see the guide on how to conjugate the four main irregular verbs in French, which covers avoir, être, aller, and faire.
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Other tenses for regular -IR verbs
Imperfect: Take the nous present stem, remove -ons, and add -ais/-ais/-ait/-ions/-iez/-aient. For finir, the stem becomes finiss-, so je finissais (I was finishing). Future: Use the full infinitive plus -ai/-as/-a/-ons/-ez/-ont. Examples: je finirai (I will finish), tu finiras (you will finish). Past participle: Remove -ir and add -i. Examples: fini, choisi, réussi. Used with auxiliary avoir: J’ai fini le livre (I have finished the book). Working through these tenses systematically, rather than memorizing them in isolation, helps your brain recognize the underlying patterns. An online French tutor using proven French verb practice techniques can accelerate this recognition significantly.
Practice exercises
- Nous (finir) toujours à l’heure. → Nous finissons toujours à l’heure.
- Elle (partir) demain matin. → Elle part demain matin.
- Tu (réussir) à l’examen la semaine dernière. → Tu as réussi à l’examen la semaine dernière.
Working through sentences like these with a French tutor reveals which patterns stick and which ones still trip you up under pressure. Real-time feedback during production drills trains your reflexes far faster than solo practice. With 30,000+ expert tutors trusted by over 10 million learners worldwide, italki connects you with French teachers who focus specifically on verb conjugation and who can build sessions around the exact irregular verbs you keep mixing up.Book a trial lesson today and spend your first session working through regular and irregular -IR verbs in context, using dialogue rather than drill sheets.
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FAQ
How do I know whether an -IR verb is regular or irregular?
Learn the most common irregular -IR verbs by name: partir, sortir, dormir, servir, mentir, sentir, venir, tenir, ouvrir, couvrir. Any -IR verb not on this list is almost certainly regular. The presence of -iss- in the nous form confirms the regular pattern. Do reflexive -IR verbs follow the same pattern? Yes. S’endormir follows the same stem pattern as dormir: je m’endors, tu t’endors, il s’endort. Is the -IR ending the same in spoken and written French? The singular je finis, tu finis, and il finit all sound the same when spoken. Listening practice is important alongside written conjugation study.
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