Quick Study: Verbs

Question 1

What is an infinitive?

Answer 1

Form of a verb which shows no subject or number. It is usually preceded in English by the preposition “to.”

Question 2

What are the four possible endings of French infinitives?

Answer 2

-er, -ir, -oir, -re

Question 3

What is a past participle?

Answer 3

Form of a verb used either as an adjective or, together with an auxillary verb, to form the compound tenses.

Question 4

What is a present participle?

Answer 4

Form of a verb corresponding to the English form ending in -ing.

Question 5

How do you form present participles? What are the two most commonly used irregular present participles?

Answer 5

Take the nous form of the present indicative tense, drop the -ons ending, and add -ant.

parlant, finissant, perant

The two most commonly used irregular present participles are avoir/ayant and savoir/sachant?

Question 6

How do you form the present indicative for the following regular verbs?

1. -er
2. -ir
3. re

Answer 6

1. -er: -e, -es, -e, -ons, -ez, -ent
2. -ir: -is, -is, -it, -issons, -issez, -issent
3. -s, -s, -, -ons, -ez, -ent

Question 7

What is the present indicative used to express (3)?

Answer 7

1. An action or a condition which takes place or exists in the present.
   * Nous parlons français.* (We speak French.)
   * Henri est américain.* (Henry is American.)
2. An action which is in progress.
   * Elle parle avec François.* (She is speaking with François.)
3. An action which is to take place in the near future.
   * Nous allons au restaurant ce soir.* (We are going to the restaurant this evening.)

Question 8

How do you form the imparfait?

Answer 8

The present tense nous form is utilized. The -ons ending is dropped and the following endings are added: -ais, -ais, -ait, -ions, -iez, -aient.

Question 9

How is the imparfait used (intro +4)?

Answer 9

The imparfait is used for a condition, situation, or past action which is repeated and is not limited in time.

1. To describe or set a scene.
   * Il faisait froid et les étudiants parlaient ensemble.* (It was cold and the students were talking to each other.)
2. For habitual actions, where “used to” is used in English.
   * Elle allait à la plage quand elle habitait Nice.* (She used to go to the beach when she lived in Nice.)
3. To express an action that was taking place when something else happened.
   * Je déjeunais quand il est arrivé.* (I was eating lunch when he arrived.)
4. To express time of day and age.
   * Il était trois heures.* (It was three o’clock.)

Question 10

How do you form the future tense.

Answer 10

The following endings are added to entire infinitive (regular) or the future stem (irregular): -ai, -as, -a, -ons, -ez, -ont.

Verbs ending in -re drop the -e.

Question 11

How do you use the future tense?

Answer 11

1. The future tense indicates an action which is to take place in the future.
   * Sa soeur lui donnera un cadeau.* (His sister will give him a gift.)
2. Unlike in English, it is used when a phrase or sentence which indicates a future action begins with a temporal conjunction, such as quand (when), lorsque (when), dés que (as soon as), aussiôt que (as soon as), or tant que (as long as).
   * Il partira dés qu’il sera prêt.* (He will leave as soon as he is ready.)

Question 12

How do you form the conditional present?

Answer 12

Add the following endings to the future stem of the verb, but for -re verbs drop the e in -re before adding: -ais, -ais, -ait, -ions, -iez, -aient.

Note that these are identical to the endings for indicatif imparfait.

Note that verbs that have irregular stems in the future tense have the same irregular stem in the conditional.

Question 13

How do you use the conditional present (2)?

Answer 13

1. The conditional expresses an action which is dependent on another action.
2. It expresses a polite request, whether in the form of a question or a statement.
   * Je voudrais de l’eau minérale, s’il vous plait.* (I would like mineral water, please.)

Question 14

How do you form the present subjunctive?

Answer 14

For most verbs, the present subjunctive is formed by taking the stem of the third person plural form (ils) and adding the following endings: -e, -es, -e, -ions, -iez, -ent.

Question 15

In general, how is the present subjunctive used (1)?

Answer 15

The present subjunctive is used in statements dealing with volition, desire, belief, possibility, doubt, and emotion, rather than facts, in the present or in the future.

Question 16

1. In what clause is the subjunctive typically used?
2. What is a characteristic of its use in this clause?

Answer 16

1. It is never used in the main clause of the sentence, but is generally used in a dependent clause introduced by que.
2. A change of subject between the independent and dependent clause is almost always present. If the subject does not change between the two actions, an infinitive (not the subjunctive) is used.
   * Je veux que vous parliez avec le Président.* vs. Je veux parler acec le Président.
   * Elle est heureuse qu’il vienne demain.* vs. Elle est heureuse de venir demain.

Question 17

When is the subjunctive used in an independent clause?

Answer 17

The subjunctive is used when the independent clause indicates qualifications or qualities that something or someone must have.

Ils cherchent une étudiante qui parle français et espagnol. (They are looking for a student who speaks [might speak] French and Spanish.)

Question 18

When is the subjunctive used with impersonal expressions?

Answer 18

It is used with impersonal expressions if a specific subject is mentioned.

Il faut qu’il agisse sagement. (It is necessary for him to act wisely.) vs. Il faut agir sagement. (It is necessary to act wisely.)

Question 19

What are some of the most common verbs and expressions in the independent clause that would call for the use of the subjunctive?

1. volition (6)
2. emotion (9)
3. doubt, uncertainty (3)
4. impersonal expressions (9)

Answer 19

1. vouloir, désirer, préférer, souhaiter, exiger, demander
2. être, heureux, content, désolé, triste, furieux, surpris, étonné, avoir peur
3. ne pas penser, douter, ne pas croire
4. il est nécessaire que, il est importante que, il faut que, il vaut mieux que, il est préférable que, il est stupide que, il est bon que, il est juste que, il est bizarre que

Question 20

What conjunctions must the subjunctive be used after?

although (2)

until

so that (2)

provided that

unless

before, until

Answer 20

• bien que* (although)
• quoique* (although)
• jusqu’à ce que* (until)
• pour que* (so that)
• afin que* (so that)
• pourvu que* (provided that)
• à moins que* (unless)
• avant que* (before, until)

Question 21

When do you use the subjunctive if the dependent clause introduced by que contains a superlative or a word expressing uniqueness (l’unique, le seul, le dernier)?

Answer 21

You use the subjunctive to make the statement less dogmatic and to allow for a different opinion. However, if the assertion is true without question the indicative mood is used.

• Robert est le meilleur étudiant que j’aie ensiegné.*
• Voici le suel restaurant important que je connaisse.*

vs.

Le diamant est la peirre la plus dure qu’on peut trouver.

Question 22

How do you form the passé composé?

Answer 22

The passé composé is formed with the present indicative form of avoir or être and the past participle of the main verb.

Question 23

How do you form regular past participles?

Answer 23

• er: drop the ending and add -é (parler/parlé)
• ir: drop the ending and add -i (finir/fini)
• re: drop the ending an add -u (perdre/perdu)

Question 24

What are the irregular past participles of the following verbs?

1. avoir
2. boire
3. comprendre
4. être
5. faire
6. pleuvoir
7. prendre
8. voir
9. vouloir

Answer 24

1. eu
2. bu
3. compris
4. été
5. fait
6. plu
7. pris
8. vu
9. voulu

Question 25

What verbs are conjugated with être as the auxillary?

Answer 25

Intransitive verbs (those that don’t take a direct object) and all reflexive verbs.

Question 26

When, and with what, does the past participle agree when using avoir as the auxillary?

Answer 26

If the past participle is preceded by a direct object it will agree in gender and number with that object.

• J’ai le lui ai donnée.*
• Ce sont les livres qu’elle a lus.*

Question 27

1. When does the past participle agree with the subject of the sentence when using être as the auxillary to a non-reflexive verb?
2. When does the past participle agree with the subject of the sentence when using être as the auxillary to a reflexive verb?
3. When does the past participle agree with a reflexive pronoun when using être as the auxillary?

Answer 27

1. The past participle agrees in gender and number with the subject if the verb is intransitive (does not take a direct object).
   * Elle est arrivée hier.*
   * Ils se sont dépêchés.*
   * Maurice est sorti, mais sa soeur est restée.*
2. The past participle agrees in gender and number with the subject if the reflexive pronoun is neither the direct nor the indirect object of the verb.
   * Ils se sont mariés.*
3. It agrees with the reflexive pronoun if it is the direct object of the verb.
   * Nous nous sommes levés.*
   * Elles se sont trompées.*

vs.

Elle s’est lavé les mains.

Question 28

How do you use the passé composé?

Answer 28

The passé composé expresses an action which is completed and oftentimes limited by using such words as hier, la semaine passée, l’année dernière, etc., all of which describe a specific time.

Question 29

How do you form the plus-que-parfait?

Answer 29

The plus-que-parfait is formed by using a form of avoir or être in the imparfait plus the past participle of the main verb.

Question 30

How do you use the plus-que-parfait?

Answer 30

The plus-que-parfait indicates a happening or situation which takes place before another stated past action (in the passé composé or imparfait).

Il avait déjà fini la leçon quand il a commencé à pleuvoir. (He has already finished the lesson when it started to rain.)

Question 31

How do you form the futur antérieur?

Answer 31

The futur antérieur is formed by using the future form of avoir or être plus the past participle of the main verb.

Question 32

How do you use the futur antérieur?

Answer 32

The futur antérieur is used to express a future action which is to take place before another action in the future.

Ils auront fini avant mon départ. (They will have finished before my departure.)

Question 33

How do you form the conditional past?

Answer 33

The conditional past is formed by using the conditional form of avoir or être and the past participle of the main verb.

Question 34

How do you use the conditional past?

Answer 34

The conditional past expresses actions that would have or might have happened in the past.

• Il serait rentré plus tôt s’il avait plu.* (He would have come home earlier if it had rained.)
• J’aurais voulu t’accompagner.* (I would have liked to go with you.)

Question 35

How do you form the past subjunctive?

Answer 35

The past subjunctive is formed by using the present subjunctive form of avoir or être and the past participle of the main verb.

Question 36

How do you use the past subjunctive?

Answer 36

The past subjunctive is used under the same circumstances as the present subjunctive but for past happenings.

• Il est mieux que ma soeur ait mangé de bonne heure.* (It is better that my sister ate early.)
• Le professeur voulait qu’elles aient lu le livre.* (The professor wanted them to read the book.)
• Crois-tu qu’il se soit dépeché.* (Do you think he hurried up?)

Question 37

What forms of verbs are used to give commands?

Answer 37

tu, nous, vous

Question 38

For regular verbs, how do you form the imperative?

Answer 38

Regular commands are formed by using the present indicative forms and omitting the subject pronoun.

Verbs with -er endings drop the final -s of the tu person.

Question 39

How do you use the imperative?

Answer 39

The imperative is used when giving orders or directions.

• Répétez, s’il vous plait!*
• Fais tes devoirs!*
• Finissons la leçon!*

Question 40

When the main verb is in the present or future indicative, what tense is the verb in the subordinate clause when describing simulateous actions?

I know that he works on Mondays.

I want him to finish his homework.

Answer 40

present indicative:

je sais qu’il travaille le lundi

present subjuntive:

Je veux qu’il finisse ses devoirs.

Question 41

When the main verb is in the present or future indicative, what tense is the verb in the subordinate clause when describing subsequent actions?

We will leave when he arrives.

I want him to come tomorrow.

Answer 41

future indicative:

Nous partirons quand il arrivera.

present subjunctive:

Je veux qu’il vienne demain.

Question 42

When the main verb is in the present or future indicative, what tense is the verb in the subordinate clause when describing previous actions?

I am saying that he went to Europe yesterday.

She’ll pass the test if she has studied hard.

Answer 42

imparfait, passé composé, plus-que-parfait, past subjuntive, or passé simple

passé composé:

• Je dis que est allé en Europe hier.*
• Elle réussira à l’examen si elle a beaucoup étudié.*

Question 43

When the main verb is in the passé composé, passé simple, or imparfait, what tense is the verb in the subordinate clause when describing simulateous actions?

I heard she was sleeping when I telephoned her.

He spoke to me at the same moment when I fell.

Answer 43

imparfait

J’ai entendu dire qu’elle dormait lorsque je lui ai téléphoné.

passé simple

Il me parla au moment même où je tombai.

Question 44

When the main verb is in the passé composé, passé simple, or imparfait, what tense is the verb in the subordinate clause when describing subsequent actions?

We said the she will come tomorrow.

We said that she will have come tomorrow.

Answer 44

future:

Nous avons dit qu’elle viendra demain.

futur antérieur:

Nous avons dit qu’elle sera venue demain.

Question 45

When the main verb is in the passé composé, passé simple, or imparfait, what tense is the verb in the subordinate clause when describing previous actions?

We were saying that she had come yesterday.

As soon as she came, we spoke with her father.

Answer 45

plus-que-parfait:

Nous disions qu’elle était venue hier.

past anterior:

Aussitôt qu’elle fut venue, nous parlâmes avec son père.

Question 46

If a si clause is in the present indicative, what tense/mood is the main verb in the subsequent clause?

If we arrive early, I am giving him/her the gift.

If she arrrives early, my mother will give him/her the gift.

If you arrive early, give him/her the gift.

Answer 46

present indicative:

Si nous arrivons de bonne heure, je lui donne le cadeau.

future:

Si elle arrive de bonne heure, ma mère lui donnera le cadeau.

imperative:

Si vous arrivez de bonne heure, donnez-lui de cadeau!

Question 47

If a si clause is in the imparfait, what tense/mood is the main verb in the subsequent clause?

If we arrived early, we would give him/her the gift.

Answer 47

conditional:

Si nous arrivions de bonne heure, nous lui donnerions le cadeau.

Question 48

If a si clause is in the plus-que-parfait, what tense/mood is the main verb in the subsequent clause?

If we had arrived early, we would have given him/her the gift.

Answer 48

conditional past:

Si nous étions arrivés de bonne heure, nous lui aurions donné le cadeau.

Question 49

What are pronomial verbs?

Answer 49

Pronomial verbs describe an action where the subject and object (direct or indirect) are the same.

Ils se lévent de bonne heure. (They get up early.)

Question 50

What two types of actions can pronomial verbs be used to express?

Answer 50

1. reflexive
   * Je me demande s’il viendra.* (I wonder if he will come.)
2. reciprocal
   * Ils se parlent tous les jours.* (They speak to each other every day.)

Question 51

When a part of the subject’s body is the direct object of a reflexive verb, what is used instead of a possessive adjective?

He washes his hands.

Answer 51

a definite article

Il se lave les mains.