French \-IR verbs: Conjugation rules, examples, and practice

Key takeaways

• French -IR verbs split into two groups: regular -IR verbs (like finir) that add -iss- in plural forms, and irregular -IR verbs (like partir) that drop their stem consonant in singular forms.
• Regular -IR verbs follow a predictable conjugation pattern once you learn the finir model.
• Irregular -IR verbs like partir, sortir, and dormir have shorter singular stems and must be memorised individually.
• Past participles for regular -IR verbs end in -i (fini, choisi, réussi).
• The -iss- pattern in the present tense is the clearest signal that a verb is regular.

You studied the grammar rule, memorised the endings, and then sat down to conjugate partir (to leave) like finir (to finish), and something went wrong. This is one of the most common stumbling points for French learners at the A2–B1 level.

The problem is that -IR verbs look like a single category but they contain two distinct conjugation patterns that behave very differently. Once you see the difference clearly, both groups become manageable.

Trusted by more than 10 million learners worldwide, italki makes it simple to find a French tutor who teaches verb conjugation and intermediate grammar. This guide covers regular -IR conjugation, irregular -IR conjugation, how to tell them apart, past participle formation, and a full comparison table.

The two groups of -IR verbs

Every -IR verb in French belongs to one of two groups. Regular -IR verbs add -iss- before the plural endings. Irregular -IR verbs drop the final consonant of the stem in singular forms and do not use -iss-. The practical test: check the nous form. If it ends in -issons, you have a regular verb.

Want to practice identifying these patterns in real time? A French language tutor listens to your conjugations, catches mistakes as you make them, and reinforces the distinction until it sticks naturally.

Regular -IR verbs: The finir pattern

Pronoun	Finir (to finish)
je	finis
tu	finis
il/elle	finit
nous	finissons
vous	finissez
ils/elles	finissent

Common regular -IR verbs

• choisir (to choose): je choisis, nous choisissons
• remplir (to fill): je remplis, nous remplissons
• réussir (to succeed): je réussis, nous réussissons
• obéir (to obey): j’obéis, nous obéissons
• nourrir (to nourish): je nourris, nous nourrissons
• grossir (to gain weight): je grossis, nous grossissons
• maigrir (to lose weight): je maigris, nous maigrissons
• agir (to act): j’agis, nous agissons
• grandir (to grow): je grandis, nous grandissons

These verbs follow the finir pattern consistently. Once you internalise the nous form ending (-issons), the rest falls into place. If you want to deepen your grasp of how verb conjugation works across all groups, a French tutor online shows you the underlying patterns that connect regular -ER, -IR, and -RE verbs.

Irregular -IR verbs: The partir pattern

Pronoun	Partir (to leave)
je	pars
tu	pars
il/elle	part
nous	partons
vous	partez
ils/elles	partent

Other irregular -IR verbs

• sortir (to go out): je sors, tu sors, il sort, nous sortons
• dormir (to sleep): je dors, tu dors, il dort, nous dormons
• sentir (to feel/smell): je sens, tu sens, il sent, nous sentons
• servir (to serve): je sers, tu sers, il sert, nous servons
• mentir (to lie): je mens, tu mens, il ment, nous mentons

These verbs must be memorised individually because they don’t follow a predictable pattern. The singular forms drop the final consonant, and the plural forms revert to the root without -iss-. The best strategy is to drill these verbs in context rather than in isolation.

Ready to master irregular conjugations? An online French teacher creates targeted drills and catches your errors in real conversation, making these irregular forms automatic far faster than workbook exercises alone.

Regular vs. irregular: A side-by-side comparison

Feature	Regular (finir)	Irregular (partir)
Nous form	finissons	partons
-iss- in plural	Yes	No
Nous ending	-issons	-ons
Example verbs	choisir, réussir, remplir	sortir, dormir, sentir

This table makes the core difference visible: if the nous form contains -iss-, the verb is regular. Without it, the verb is irregular. Using this visual reference while you practice will accelerate recognition.

Work through conjugation drills with French tutors on italki and use the nous-form table as your reference until regular and irregular patterns become automatic.

Past participles

Regular -IR verbs: replace -ir with -i. finir: fini; choisir: choisi; réussir: réussi; remplir: rempli.

Irregular -IR past participles (usually also in -i from the short stem): partir: parti; sortir: sorti; dormir: dormi; sentir: senti; servir: servi.

Note: partir and sortir use être as auxiliary in the past tense, not avoir.

Understanding past participles is essential for the passé composé and other compound tenses. A French tutor walks you through how these participles function in context, so you can construct past tense sentences with confidence and accuracy.

How to tell them apart

When you encounter a new -IR verb, check the nous form. If it ends in -issons, the verb is regular. If it ends in -ons without -iss-, it is irregular. Verbs describing physical change or development tend to be regular (grossir, maigrir, grandir). Verbs describing movement and physical states tend to be irregular (dormir, partir, sortir).

The gap between knowing the rule for regular -IR verbs and spotting irregular ones instantly is exactly where French tutors on italki make the biggest difference. Whether you’re drilling finir conjugations or memorising the unpredictable pattern of partir, one-on-one correction accelerates the shift from hesitation to fluency.

With over 15 years of experience helping language learners worldwide, italki has served students in 190+ countries. Book a trial lesson with an online French tutor today and focus on the conjugation patterns holding you back.

FAQ

Do all verbs ending in -ir follow one of these two patterns?

Almost all, but a small number are highly irregular. Venir (to come) and tenir (to hold) are the most important: je viens, tu viens, il vient, nous venons. Ouvrir (to open) and offrir (to offer) conjugate like -ER verbs despite ending in -ir.

Is there a difference between sentir meaning “to feel” and sentir meaning “to smell”?

The verb covers both meanings. Context determines the meaning. “Ça sent bon” (that smells good) versus “je me sens bien” (I feel well), using the reflexive for emotional states.

When do I use sortir versus partir?

Partir emphasises departure from a place with a destination in mind: “Il est parti pour Paris” (He left for Paris). Sortir emphasises exiting a space or going out socially: “Elle sort ce soir” (She’s going out tonight).