Regular -ir verbs (choisir, finir)

Regular -ir verbs

Like regular -er verbs, French has a group of regular -ir verbs (Group 2), such as choisir (to choose) and finir (to finish).

To conjugate them in the present tense, drop the -ir ending and add these new ones:

SubjectEndingchoisir (to choose)
je-ischoisis
tu-ischoisis
il/elle/on-itchoisit
nous-issonschoisissons
vous-issezchoisissez
ils/elles-issentchoisissent

The singular forms

The singular endings (-is, -is, -it) have silent final consonants, meaning choisis and choisit are pronounced exactly the same.

I am choosing a beautiful color.
Je choisis une belle couleur.
She chooses a different color.
Elle choisit une couleur différente.

The plural forms

The plural endings all start with -iss-. This extra syllable is the signature sound of regular -ir verbs.

We are finishing a project in France.
Nous finissons un projet en France.
They are finishing a difficult job.
Elles finissent un travail difficile.

Taking action

Many verbs related to thinking and taking action follow this exact pattern:

  • réfléchir (to think / to reflect)
  • agir (to act)
  • réagir (to react)

You can use these alongside adverbs like finalement (finally) to describe making a choice or coming to a decision.

Me, I am thinking about the problem.
Moi, je réfléchis au problème.
They are thinking about this option.
Ils réfléchissent à cette option.

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