French Irregular –RE Verbs

Some of the most common irregular ­–RE verbs have their own internally consistent conjugation rules. These include prendre (to take), battre (to fight), mettre (to put), rompre (to break), and all of their derivatives. Today, we’re going to explain the simple present tense conjugations of these irregular –RE French verbs. Irregular –RE verbs not covered here do not follow predictable patterns in their “irregularness.” 

Prendre – to take

Prendre and words derived from it such as comprendre (to understand) lose the final d in all plural forms and add a second n in the ils (third personal plural) form. Singular forms follow regular –RE conjugation rules. All forms use regular ­–RE verbs endings.

Battre – to fight & Mettre – to put

These verbs and their derivates drop the final t from the stem in singular forms. Note that while battre and mettre are conjugated the same way in the present tense, they have different conjugations in the passé simple, imperfect subjunctive, and past participle.

Rompre – to break

Rompre and all derivative verbs follow regular –RE conjugation rules except in the third person singular (it, elle, on), where a –t takes the place of the usual lack of an ending.

Verbs Ending in –aindre, –eindre, and –oindre

When the infinitive of a verb contains –aindre, –eindre, or –oindre, drop the final d from the stem. For plural forms only, place a g before the n. Use the same –t ending for the il form as you would for rompre.