10.1 How Verb Families Work
French has many irregular verbs, but you do not need to learn every one from scratch. Many belong to verb families built around the same base verb.
Often, a prefix is added to the beginning of a verb:
- prendre (to take) → apprendre (to learn)
- mettre (to put) → permettre (to allow)
- venir (to come) → revenir (to come back)
In the families covered in this lesson, the prefix changes the verb's meaning, but the present-tense conjugation pattern stays the same. Learn the base verb, and you'll also learn how to conjugate several related verbs.
10.2 The Prendre Family
Prendre follows the pattern below. Notice the double n in ils prennent.
Use the prendre pattern to conjugate apprendre (to learn), comprendre (to understand), and surprendre (to surprise).
10.3 The Mettre Family
Mettre follows the pattern below. Notice the double t in the plural forms.
Use the mettre pattern to conjugate admettre (to admit), promettre (to promise), and commettre (to commit).
10.4 The Faire Family
Faire is highly irregular. Pay special attention to nous faisons, vous faites, and ils font.
Use the faire pattern to conjugate refaire (to redo), défaire (to undo), satisfaire (to satisfy), and parfaire (to perfect).
10.5 The Tenir and Venir Families
Tenir and venir follow nearly identical present-tense patterns.
Use the tenir pattern to conjugate maintenir, soutenir, obtenir, and appartenir. Use the venir pattern to conjugate revenir, devenir, and se souvenir.
Given the vast array of French irregular verbs, it's lucky that so many travel in families. Learn one member of each family—prendre, mettre, faire, tenir, venir—and the rest fall into place. Patterns over memorization is how you become a bona fide French Verb Master.
Practice Time!
Master these verb conjugations from Lesson 10