Grammar
-ir and -re verbs in the present
Besides -er verbs, French has two other regular groups. For regular -ir verbs like finir, choisir and réussir, remove -ir and add: -is, -is, -it, -issons, -issez, -issent. So je finis, tu finis, il finit, nous finissons, vous finissez, ils finissent.
For regular -re verbs like attendre, répondre and vendre, remove -re and add: -s, -s, nothing, -ons, -ez, -ent. So j'attends, tu attends, il attend, nous attendons, vous attendez, ils attendent. Note that the il/elle form has no ending at all, and the d is pronounced in nous attendons but silent in il attend.
Apprendre and comprendre are irregular and follow prendre: j'apprends, nous apprenons, ils apprennent. English speakers sometimes treat all verbs like -er verbs and say je finisse or il attende; remember that each group has its own endings.
| je | finis / attends |
| tu | finis / attends |
| il / elle | finit / attend |
| nous | finissons / attendons |
| vous | finissez / attendez |
| ils / elles | finissent / attendent |
Je finis à cinq heures.
I finish at five o'clock.
Tu choisis un cours ?
Are you choosing a class?
Il attend le bus.
He is waiting for the bus.
Nous répondons à la question.
We answer the question.
Elles réussissent l'examen.
They pass the exam.