← French
French • Level 1 • GRAMMAR

present: spelling

💡 Grammar Rule

Special Spelling Changes in French -er Verbs

Most French verbs ending in -er follow a regular pattern. However, several groups require small spelling changes in their stems to maintain correct pronunciation. These changes usually happen when the ending is a "silent e" (je, tu, il/elle, ils/elles).

1. Verbs ending in -ger and -ier

For verbs like étudier (to study), conjugation is regular, but watch the vowels. For verbs ending in -ger like voyager (to travel), we add an e before the o in the "nous" form to keep the "g" sound soft.

  • étudier: J'étudie (I study)
  • voyager: Nous voyageons (We travel)
  • Other examples: bouger (to move), changer (to change), manger (to eat), partager (to share).

2. Verbs in -eler and -eter

Some verbs double the consonant, while others use an accent grave (è) to change the sound of the vowel.

Group A: Doubling the consonant
Verbs like appeler (to call) and jeter (to throw) double the "l" or "t" before a silent ending.

  • appeler: J'appelle, tu appelles, il appelle, ils appellent (I call, etc.) BUT nous appelons, vous appelez.
  • jeter: Je jette (I throw) BUT nous jetons.
  • Other examples: renouveler (to renew), feuilletter (to leaf through).

Group B: Changing "e" to "è"
Verbs like acheter (to buy) and geler (to freeze) add an accent instead of doubling the consonant.

  • acheter: J'achète (I buy) BUT nous achetons.
  • geler: Il gèle (It freezes) BUT nous gelons.
  • Other examples: peler (to peel), haleter (to pant).

3. Stem Changes: e or é becoming è

When the second-to-last syllable has an e or é, it changes to è if the following syllable has a silent "e".

  • peser (e > è): Ils pèsent (They weigh) BUT nous pesons.
  • espérer (é > è): J'espère (I hope) BUT nous espérons.
  • Other examples: amener (to bring), lever (to lift), se promener (to take a walk), préférer (to prefer), répéter (to repeat).

4. Verbs ending in -yer

For these verbs, the y changes to i before a silent "e".

  • -oyer / -uyer (Mandatory change): nettoyer (to clean) -> Je nettoie, tu nettoies, il nettoie, ils nettoient (I clean, etc.) BUT nous nettoyons, vous nettoyez.
  • -ayer (Optional change): payer (to pay) -> Je paie OR Je paye. Both are correct.
  • Other examples: envoyer (to send), s'ennuyer (to be bored), essayer (to try).
Do you travel a lot?
Voyagez-vous beaucoup ?
Yes, we travel often.
Oui, nous voyageons souvent.
We are tidying the living room.
Nous rangeons le salon.
I am tidying my room.
Je range ma chambre.
What is your name?
Comment t’appelles-tu ?
My name is Alice.
Je m’appelle Alice.
She is buying an apple.
Elle achète une pomme.
He is buying an orange.
Il achète une orange.
Do you prefer tea?
Préférez-vous le té ?
Yes, we prefer green tea. But they prefer coffee.
Oui, nous préférons le thé vert. Mais ils préfèrent le café.
I hope you are coming.
J’espère que tu viens.
I hope so too.
Moi aussi, je l’espère.
Why are you throwing that bag away?
Pourquoi jettes-tu ce sac ?
Because it is very old.
Parce qu’il est très vieux.
I am cleaning the table.
Je nettoie la table.
We are cleaning the chairs.
Nous nettoyons les chaises.
Are you paying for the coffee?
Paies-tu le café ?
No, Pierre is paying today.
Non, Pierre paie aujourd’hui.
She is a bit bored.
Elle s’ennuie un peu.
They are bored too.
Ils s’ennuient aussi.
What time do we get up?
À quelle heure nous levons-nous ?
I get up at seven.
Je me lève à sept heures.
He is sending a message.
Il envoie un message.
We are sending a letter.
Nous envoyons une lettre.
Are we sharing the cake?
Partageons-nous le gâteau ?
Yes, we are sharing it.
Oui, nous le partageons.
My friends are taking a walk.
Mes amis se promènent.
We are taking a walk with them.
Nous nous promenons avec eux.
Do you use 'tu' with your teacher?
Tutoies-tu ton professeur ?
No, I do not use 'tu' with him. We should not use 'tu' with teachers.
Non, je ne le tutoie pas. Il ne faut pas tutoyer les professeur.
It is freezing outside.
Il gèle dehors.
Yes, it freezes a lot tonight.
Oui, il gèle beaucoup ce soir.
Are you repeating the word?
Répètes-tu le mot ?
Yes, I am repeating it slowly.
Oui, je le répète lentement.
You all protect animals.
Vous protégez les animaux.
We protect chats.
Nous protégeons les chats.
Who are you calling?
Qui appelles-tu ?
I am calling my brother.
J’appelle mon frère.
I am trying on this jacket.
J’essaie cette veste.
She is trying on a dress.
Elle essaie une robe.
What are you weighing?
Que pèses-tu ?
I am weighing the vegetables.
Je pèse les légumes.
What are you studying?
Qu’étudies-tu ?
I am studying French.
J’étudie le français.
We are renovating the house.
Nous renouvelons la maison.
He is renovating his office.
Il renouvelle son bureau.
Are you moving the furniture?
Bouges-tu les meubles ?
No, we are not moving them.
Non, nous ne les bougeons pas.
I am erasing the board.
J’efface le tableau.
We are erasing the notes.
Nous effaçons les notes.

Ready to reach fluency in French? Download drillify for Android. Master the language with rigorous audio drills and unlock all lessons.

Download drillify
Open Play Store