A1 Present Tense 16 min read Easy

French -yer Verbs: The y to i Swap (payer, envoyer)

Change 'y' to 'i' in the 'boot' forms (je, tu, il, ils) for -yer French verbs.
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Grammar Rule in 30 Seconds

For verbs ending in -yer, change the 'y' to an 'i' for all forms except 'nous' and 'vous'.

  • Change y to i for je, tu, il/elle/on, and ils/elles forms.
  • Keep the y for the nous and vous forms.
  • This rule applies to common verbs like payer, envoyer, and nettoyer.
Stem (y -> i) + Ending (e, es, e, ent) | Stem (y) + Ending (ons, ez)

Overview

French verbs ending in -yer present a unique conjugation pattern, particularly in the present tense. Unlike regular -er verbs, these verbs often undergo a y to i stem change before certain endings. This linguistic shift is not arbitrary; it serves a crucial phonetic purpose in French, ensuring smooth pronunciation and maintaining clarity of sound.

The y in -yer verbs functions phonetically as a semivowel, similar to a double i (ii). Its transformation to i is a mechanism to preserve the pronunciation of the preceding consonant sound when it's followed by a silent e. Understanding this underlying phonetic principle is key to mastering these common verbs, which include essential terms like payer (to pay) and envoyer (to send).

This rule applies consistently across various situations, making it a foundational element for A1 French learners.

How This Grammar Works

In the French present tense, the y of -yer verbs transforms into an i when it precedes an unpronounced e. This specific change occurs with the endings -e, -es, -e, and -ent for the subject pronouns je, tu, il/elle/on, and ils/elles respectively. These endings are phonetically silent, meaning they are written but not audibly pronounced.
Without a vocalic sound to support the y, the consonant preceding it would risk an awkward or unclear pronunciation. By changing y to i, the verb's stem maintains a clear vowel sound before the silent ending, facilitating natural speech.
Conversely, when the y is followed by a pronounced vocal ending, typically -ons for nous and -ez for vous, the y remains unchanged. These vocal endings provide sufficient phonetic support, allowing the y to retain its semivowel sound without difficulty. This consistent pattern simplifies conjugation: if the ending is silent, change y to i; if the ending is vocal, keep y.
For example, compare j'envoie (silent -e) with nous envoyons (vocal -ons). The pronunciation drives the spelling.
There is a notable distinction among -yer verbs:
  • Verbs ending in -oyer (e.g., envoyer, nettoyer - to clean) and -uyer (e.g., appuyer - to press) always undergo the y to i change for silent endings. This rule is obligatory.
  • Verbs ending in -ayer (e.g., payer, essayer - to try) offer flexibility. You may either change the y to i or keep the y before silent endings. Both forms are grammatically correct and widely accepted, though the i form (je paie) is often perceived as slightly more formal or traditional, while the y form (je paye) is more common in modern, everyday usage. For instance, you can say je paie or je paye for 'I pay'.

Formation Pattern

1
Conjugating -yer verbs in the present tense involves a systematic process. This pattern ensures correct pronunciation while adhering to French orthographic rules. Let's outline the steps using envoyer (an -oyer verb) and payer (an -ayer verb) as examples.
2
Step 1: Identify the Verb Stem
3
Remove the -er ending from the infinitive to find the base stem.
4
For envoyer (to send), the stem is envoy-.
5
For payer (to pay), the stem is pay-.
6
Step 2: Determine the Subject Pronoun
7
The subject pronoun (je, tu, il/elle/on, nous, vous, ils/elles) dictates the ending and potential stem change.
8
Step 3: Apply the y to i Change (if applicable)
9
For je, tu, il/elle/on, ils/elles (which have silent endings):
10
If the verb ends in -oyer or -uyer, change the y in the stem to an i. For envoy-, this becomes envoi-.
11
If the verb ends in -ayer, you have a choice: either change y to i (e.g., pai-) or keep the y (e.g., pay-).
12
For nous and vous (which have vocal endings), the y always remains. The stem for envoyer stays envoy-, and for payer it stays pay-.
13
Step 4: Add the Standard Present Tense Endings
14
Attach the appropriate regular -er verb endings to the modified or unmodified stem.
15
| Pronoun | Ending | envoyer (stem envoi- or envoy-) | payer (stem pai- or pay-) |
16
| :------------- | :----- | :----------------------------------- | :------------------------------------------ |
17
| je | -e | j'envoie | je paie / je paye |
18
| tu | -es | tu envoies | tu paies / tu payes |
19
| il/elle/on | -e | il envoie | il paie / il paye |
20
| nous | -ons | nous envoyons | nous payons |
21
| vous | -ez | vous envoyez | vous payez |
22
| ils/elles | -ent | ils envoient | ils paient / ils payent |
23
This systematic approach ensures correct conjugation regardless of the verb type within the -yer family.

Conjugation Table

Pronoun Conjugation English Translation Notes on Pronunciation
:------------- :-------------- :--------------------------- :---------------------------------------
je j'envoie I send / I am sending Pronounced ahn-vwah. Silent -e.
tu tu envoies You send (informal) Pronounced too ahn-vwah. Silent -es.
il/elle/on il envoie He/she/one sends Pronounced eel ahn-vwah. Silent -e.
nous nous envoyons We send Pronounced noo ahn-vwa-yohn. Vocal -ons.
vous vous envoyez You send (formal/plural) Pronounced voo ahn-vwa-yeh. Vocal -ez.
ils/elles ils envoient They send Pronounced eelz ahn-vwah. Silent -ent. Liaison: ils‿envoient.
Pronoun Conjugation English Translation
:------------- :-------------- :-----------------------
je je paie I pay / I am paying
tu tu paies You pay (informal)
il/elle/on il paie He/she/one pays
nous nous payons We pay
vous vous payez You pay (formal/plural)
ils/elles ils paient They pay
Pronoun Conjugation English Translation \
:------------- :-------------- :----------------------- \
je je paye I pay / I am paying \
tu tu payes You pay (informal) \
il/elle/on il paye He/she/one pays \
nous nous payons We pay \
vous vous payez You pay (formal/plural) \
ils/elles ils payent They pay

When To Use It

-yer verbs are frequently used in daily French communication, making their correct conjugation essential from the A1 level. You will encounter these verbs in a wide range of contexts, from basic transactions to modern digital interactions. Familiarize yourself with their meanings and typical applications.
Here are some common -yer verbs and example usages:
  • envoyer (to send): This verb is indispensable for any form of communication.
  • J'envoie un email. (I am sending an email.)
  • Tu envoies un message à tes amis. (You send a message to your friends.)
  • Ils envoient des colis partout. (They send packages everywhere.)
  • payer (to pay): Crucial for financial transactions.
  • Je paie en espèces. (I pay in cash.) or Je paye en carte. (I pay by card.)
  • Combien vous payez pour le loyer ? (How much do you pay for rent?)
  • Nous payons toujours à l'heure. (We always pay on time.)
  • essayer (to try, to try on): Used for attempts or fitting clothes.
  • J'essaie de comprendre. (I am trying to understand.)
  • Elle essaie cette robe. (She is trying on this dress.)
  • Vous essayez une nouvelle recette. (You are trying a new recipe.)
  • nettoyer (to clean): Pertains to household chores or general cleaning.
  • Tu nettoies la cuisine ? (Are you cleaning the kitchen?)
  • Nous nettoyons la maison chaque semaine. (We clean the house every week.)
  • appuyer (to press, to lean on): For physical actions involving pressure.
  • Il appuie sur le bouton. (He presses the button.)
  • J'appuie ma main sur la table. (I lean my hand on the table.)
These verbs are integral to describing common actions, from sending digital information to performing daily tasks, highlighting the importance of understanding their specific conjugation pattern.

When Not To Use It

It is equally important to understand when the y to i swap does not apply, to avoid overgeneralizing this rule. This primarily concerns two situations:
  • nous and vous forms: As previously established, the y never changes to i for nous and vous in the present tense of -yer verbs. Their vocal endings (-ons and -ez) provide clear phonetic support for the y. For example, it is nous envoyons, never nous envoions. Similarly, it is vous payez, not vous paiez or vous payiez (which would be confusing with the imperfect subjunctive).
  • Verbs not ending in -yer: This rule is specific to verbs ending in -yer. Do not apply it to other verbs, even if they contain a y elsewhere in their stem or infinitive. For instance, verbs like croire (to believe) or voir (to see) do not exhibit this y to i change. Also, verbs like étudier (to study), which already contain an i before the -er ending, are regular -er verbs in their stem and do not undergo any y to i transformation because there is no y in the position that would trigger it.
  • J'étudie le français. (I study French.) - Correct.
  • Je étuidie le français. - Incorrect; no y to swap.
By respecting these limitations, you ensure accurate conjugation and avoid common grammatical pitfalls.

Common Mistakes

Beginner and intermediate learners frequently make specific errors when conjugating -yer verbs. Being aware of these pitfalls will help you avoid them and refine your French.
  • Changing y to i for nous and vous: This is perhaps the most common error. Remember that the y remains for nous and vous due to their vocal endings. For example, writing nous envoions instead of nous envoyons is incorrect. Always double-check these two forms.
  • Forgetting the y to i change for il/elle/on and ils/elles: While je and tu forms are often practiced, learners sometimes forget the mandatory change for the third-person singular and plural, especially with the silent -ent ending. For instance, ils payent (with y) is generally acceptable for -ayer verbs, but ils envoye (with y) for envoyer is definitively wrong; it must be ils envoient (with i).
  • Pronouncing the silent -ent: Many learners, influenced by other languages, attempt to pronounce the -ent ending in ils/elles envoient or ils/elles paient. In French, this ending is always silent in the present tense. The pronunciation of ils envoient is identical to il envoie, which sounds like ahn-vwah. The -ent merely marks the third-person plural subject.
  • Applying the mandatory y to i rule to -ayer verbs: While je paie is correct, je paye is also correct and often preferred in contemporary usage. Insisting on the i change for -ayer verbs can be seen as slightly antiquated by some native speakers, although it is never truly wrong. Be mindful of this flexibility.
  • Confusing -yer verbs with verbs requiring e to è accent changes: Verbs like acheter (to buy) or lever (to lift) change e to è in their stem (e.g., j'achète). This is a different phonetic rule, driven by a different need to open the vowel sound before a silent e. Do not mix these patterns; -yer verbs involve y to i, not accent marks. For example, j'achète is correct, j'envoye is incorrect.

Memory Trick

To consistently apply the y to i rule, a helpful mnemonic device is the "Boot" or "Shoe" Conjugation. Imagine a boot drawn around the conjugation table:

```

+-----------+

| je |

| tu |

| il/elle/on |

+-----------+

| |

| |

+-----------+

| ils/elles |

+-----------+

```

The forms of the verb that fall inside the boot (je, tu, il/elle/on, and ils/elles) are the ones that undergo the y to i stem change (for -oyer/-uyer verbs, or optionally for -ayer verbs). These are the forms where the verb ending is silent.

The forms that fall outside the boot (nous and vous) retain the original y in their stem. These are the forms where the verb ending (-ons and -ez) is pronounced.

This visual trick helps reinforce which forms require the stem change and which do not, based on the phonetic nature of their endings. The "boot" represents the "silent zone" of the verb, where the y needs to transform for clarity.

Real Conversations

Understanding how -yer verbs are used in authentic French contexts goes beyond textbook examples. Pay attention to how native speakers integrate them into casual conversations, social media, and professional communication.

- Digital Communication:

- Salut ! Je t'envoie les photos de la soirée. Tu les reçois bien ? (Hi! I'm sending you the party photos. Are you receiving them okay?)

- On s'envoie des messages toute la journée. (We send each other messages all day.)

- Il m'a envoyé un lien intéressant. (He sent me an interesting link.) - Note: envoyé here is the past participle, showing the stem envoy- before the past participle ending é.

- Everyday Transactions:

- Je paie l'addition, c'est bon. (I'll pay the bill, it's fine.) or Je paye la course. (I'll pay for the ride/errand.)

- Vous payez par carte ou en espèces ? (Are you paying by card or in cash?)

- Combien tu paies pour ton café chaque matin ? (How much do you pay for your coffee every morning?)

- Actions and Attempts:

- J'essaie de me concentrer, mais c'est difficile. (I'm trying to concentrate, but it's difficult.)

- Elle essaie un nouveau sport. (She's trying a new sport.)

- Appuie fort sur ce bouton pour démarrer. (Press hard on this button to start.)

Notice the natural flow and idiomatic expressions. For payer, both je paie and je paye are used interchangeably, reflecting the optional nature of the change in spoken French. The context clarifies the meaning, and the usage reflects the dynamic nature of language.

Contrast With Similar Patterns

French grammar features several verb patterns that involve stem changes, and it's beneficial to differentiate the -yer rule from these to avoid confusion.
  • Regular -er Verbs: The vast majority of French verbs end in -er and are considered regular. They follow a straightforward conjugation without any stem changes. For example, parler (to speak):
  • Je parle (I speak)
  • Nous parlons (We speak)
The stem parl- remains consistent. -yer verbs deviate from this regularity specifically due to the phonetic requirements of the y and its interaction with silent endings. This highlights that -yer verbs are a sub-category of -er verbs with a specific adjustment.
  • Verbs with e to è Accent Change: Many other -er verbs, particularly those with an e in the second-to-last syllable of their stem (e.g., acheter - to buy, lever - to lift, préférer - to prefer), change that e to an è when the following e ending is silent.
  • J'achète (I buy) vs. nous achetons (we buy)
  • Je préfère (I prefer) vs. nous préférons (we prefer)
The purpose here is also phonetic: to "open" the vowel sound e to è before a silent syllable, preventing an awkward or closed sound. While both -yer verbs and e to è verbs involve stem changes for phonetic reasons, the specific letter transformation (y to i vs. e to è) and the underlying mechanism are distinct.
Do not apply the y to i rule to these verbs, nor the e to è rule to -yer verbs.
  • Verbs ending in -ier: Verbs like étudier (to study) already contain an i before the -er ending. They conjugate as regular -er verbs because they do not have a y that needs to be modified.
  • J'étudie (I study)
  • Nous étudions (We study)
There is no ambiguity or phonetic need for a change, so they remain consistent. This pattern reinforces that the y to i change is exclusively triggered by the presence and position of the y in the -yer ending.

Progressive Practice

1

Integrating -yer verbs into your active French vocabulary requires deliberate practice. Start with simple exercises and gradually increase complexity.

2

- Conjugation Drills: Systematically conjugate common -oyer, -uyer, and -ayer verbs through all pronouns. Say them aloud to internalize the sound changes. Focus initially on envoyer and payer.

3

- Sentence Building: Create your own sentences using these verbs in various contexts. For example, J'envoie un message à ma mère. (I send a message to my mother.) or Nous payons nos factures. (We pay our bills.)

4

- Listen and Repeat: Find native French speakers using these verbs (e.g., in podcasts, videos). Pay close attention to the pronunciation differences, especially the silent -ent and the retained y in nous/vous forms. Repeat after them.

5

- Self-Correction: When writing or speaking, pause and ask yourself: "Is the ending silent or vocal? Does this verb end in -oyer, -uyer, or -ayer?" This mental check will help solidify the rule.

6

Consider the cultural aspect of payer: In France, paying for things is a daily ritual, often involving exact change or contactless payment. Mastering payer allows you to navigate these social interactions seamlessly.

Quick FAQ

  • Q: Is the y to i change mandatory for all -yer verbs?
  • A: No. It is mandatory for verbs ending in -oyer (e.g., envoyer) and -uyer (e.g., appuyer). For verbs ending in -ayer (e.g., payer, essayer), the change is optional; both y and i forms are correct (je paie or je paye).
  • Q: How do I pronounce ils envoient?
  • A: You pronounce ils envoient exactly like il envoie. The -ent ending is silent. The liaison with ils means you pronounce the s of ils as a z sound: eelz-ahn-vwah.
  • Q: Does this rule apply in tenses other than the present?
  • A: This specific y to i stem change pattern primarily applies to the present tense and the future/conditional stems for some -yer verbs (which also involve an i). However, in composite tenses like the passé composé, you use the past participle (e.g., envoyé, payé), where the y remains.
  • Q: What is the main reason for this y to i swap?
  • A: The main reason is phonetic. The change from y to i ensures that the preceding consonant sound is clearly pronounced before a silent e ending, facilitating smoother and clearer articulation in spoken French.
  • Q: Can payer also mean 'to pay for'?
  • A: Yes, payer often directly translates to 'to pay for' without needing an additional preposition. For example, je paie le café means 'I pay for the coffee'.
  • Q: Are there any verbs that look like -yer verbs but aren't?
  • A: Verbs like croire or voir contain oi or y sounds but are not -yer verbs and follow different conjugation patterns. Always check the infinitive ending to identify -yer verbs correctly. Only verbs ending specifically in -yer are subject to this rule. Ensure you are looking at the full infinitive, not just a phonetic resemblance.

Conjugation of Payer (to pay)

Subject Stem Ending Full Form
Je
pai
e
paie
Tu
pai
es
paies
Il/Elle
pai
e
paie
Nous
pay
ons
payons
Vous
pay
ez
payez
Ils/Elles
pai
ent
paient

Meanings

This rule governs the spelling change in regular -er verbs that end in -yer. It ensures the pronunciation remains consistent with the stem.

1

Standard Conjugation

The regular present tense conjugation of -yer verbs.

“Je paie le café.”

“Tu envoies un message.”

Reference Table

Reference table for French -yer Verbs: The y to i Swap (payer, envoyer)
Form Structure Example
Affirmative
Subject + Verb(i)
Je paie.
Negative
Subject + ne + Verb(i) + pas
Je ne paie pas.
Question
Est-ce que + Subject + Verb(i)?
Est-ce que tu paies ?
Nous Form
Nous + Verb(y) + ons
Nous payons.
Vous Form
Vous + Verb(y) + ez
Vous payez.
Plural
Ils/Elles + Verb(i) + ent
Ils paient.

Formality Spectrum

Formal
Je paie le repas.

Je paie le repas. (Restaurant)

Neutral
Je paie le repas.

Je paie le repas. (Restaurant)

Informal
Je paye le repas.

Je paye le repas. (Restaurant)

Slang
Je règle la note.

Je règle la note. (Restaurant)

The Y to I Swap

Verb Stem

Singular

  • je I
  • tu you
  • il he

Plural

  • ils they
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Examples by Level

1

Je paie le café.

I pay for the coffee.

2

Tu envoies un email.

You send an email.

3

Il nettoie la table.

He cleans the table.

4

Nous payons ensemble.

We pay together.

1

Elle envoie une lettre à sa mère.

She sends a letter to her mother.

2

Vous nettoyez votre chambre ?

Are you cleaning your room?

3

Ils paient la facture en ligne.

They pay the bill online.

4

Je n'envoie pas de colis.

I am not sending any packages.

1

Nous nettoyons la cuisine après le dîner.

We clean the kitchen after dinner.

2

Est-ce qu'ils paient leurs impôts ?

Do they pay their taxes?

3

Tu envoies souvent des messages ?

Do you send messages often?

4

Elle nettoie les vitres du salon.

She cleans the living room windows.

1

Il faut qu'il paie ses dettes rapidement.

He must pay his debts quickly.

2

Nous envoyons nos condoléances à la famille.

We send our condolences to the family.

3

Ils nettoient les écuries chaque matin.

They clean the stables every morning.

4

Je paie toujours par carte bancaire.

I always pay by credit card.

1

Elle envoie systématiquement ses rapports par courrier.

She systematically sends her reports by mail.

2

Nous payons le prix fort pour cette erreur.

We are paying a high price for this mistake.

3

Ils nettoient les archives de l'entreprise.

They are cleaning out the company archives.

4

Il paie de sa personne pour réussir.

He gives his all to succeed.

1

Il envoie valser toutes les conventions sociales.

He throws all social conventions to the wind.

2

Nous payons les pots cassés de la gestion précédente.

We are paying for the mistakes of the previous management.

3

Elle nettoie les écuries d'Augias de ce projet.

She is cleaning up the mess of this project.

4

Ils paient le tribut de leur ambition.

They are paying the price for their ambition.

Easily Confused

French -yer Verbs: The y to i Swap (payer, envoyer) vs Acheter (e -> è)

Learners mix up the y-i swap with the e-è accent change.

French -yer Verbs: The y to i Swap (payer, envoyer) vs Appeler (l -> ll)

Learners try to double the consonant instead of swapping the vowel.

French -yer Verbs: The y to i Swap (payer, envoyer) vs Regular -er verbs

Learners think all -er verbs have a stem change.

Common Mistakes

✗

Je paye

✓

Je paie

While 'paye' is common, 'paie' is the standard form.
✗

Nous paions

✓

Nous payons

You must keep the y for nous.
✗

Ils payent

✓

Ils paient

The i-shift is required for the third person plural.
✗

Tu payes

✓

Tu paies

The i-shift is required for the second person singular.
✗

Vous paiez

✓

Vous payez

Keep the y for vous.
✗

Il envoie

✓

Il envoie

Wait, this is correct! But learners often try to change it to 'il envoie'.
✗

Nous nettoions

✓

Nous nettoyons

Keep the y for nous.
✗

Ils nettoient

✓

Ils nettoient

Correct, but learners often write 'ils nettoyent'.
✗

Je essuie

✓

J'essuie

Don't forget the elision!
✗

Nous ennuyons

✓

Nous ennuyons

Correct, but learners often write 'nous ennuions'.
✗

Ils balayent

✓

Ils balaient

The i-shift is standard.
✗

Nous balayons

✓

Nous balayons

Correct, but learners often write 'nous balaions'.
✗

Il balaye

✓

Il balaie

The i-shift is standard.

Sentence Patterns

Je ___ le café.

Nous ___ la maison.

Tu ___ un message.

Ils ___ la facture.

Real World Usage

Online shopping constant

Je paie avec ma carte.

Emailing very common

J'envoie le rapport.

Texting constant

J'envoie un texto.

Cleaning service occasional

Ils nettoient l'appartement.

Job interview occasional

J'envoie ma candidature.

Food delivery very common

Je paie en ligne.

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💡

Think of the sound

The sound doesn't change, only the spelling. Don't let the spelling scare you!
⚠️

Don't swap Nous/Vous

This is the most common mistake. Always keep the Y for these two.
🎯

Use flashcards

Create flashcards for 'payer' and 'envoyer' to drill the forms.
💬

Regional spelling

Don't be surprised if you see 'paye' in a text message; it's common in informal French.

Smart Tips

Remember the 'Nous/Vous' exception immediately.

Nous paions. → Nous payons.

Always use the 'i' form for 'je'.

Je paye la facture. → Je paie la facture.

Don't forget the i-shift.

Ils payent. → Ils paient.

Check if it's 'nous' or 'vous'.

Vous paiez. → Vous payez.

Pronunciation

/pɛ/

No change

The pronunciation of 'paie' and 'paye' is identical.

Statement

Je paie. ↘

Falling intonation for a simple statement.

Memorize It

Mnemonic

Y is for You (Nous/Vous), I is for the rest!

Visual Association

Imagine a 'Y' trying to climb a mountain. It gets tired and turns into an 'I' for almost everyone, but it stays strong for the 'Nous' and 'Vous' team.

Rhyme

For Nous and Vous, the Y stays true. For all the rest, the I is best.

Story

Pierre the Y was a very busy letter. He worked hard for 'Nous' and 'Vous' every single day. But when he had to work for 'Je', 'Tu', or 'Ils', he got so tired he turned into an 'I' to take a nap.

Word Web

payerenvoyernettoyeressuyerennuyerbalayer

Challenge

Conjugate 'envoyer' in your head for every subject in 30 seconds.

Cultural Notes

In France, 'paie' is the standard spelling, but you will see 'paye' in newspapers and informal writing.

Quebec French tends to be more conservative with spelling, preferring 'paie'.

Belgian French follows the standard French spelling rules closely.

These verbs come from Old French where the 'y' was a vowel sound that evolved into an 'i'.

Conversation Starters

“

Tu paies souvent par carte ?

“

Tu envoies des emails au travail ?

“

Qui nettoie la cuisine chez toi ?

“

Est-ce que vous payez vos impôts en ligne ?

Journal Prompts

Write about your daily chores.
Write about how you pay for things.
Write about sending messages to friends.
Write about your monthly expenses.

Common Mistakes

Incorrect

Correct

Incorrect

Correct

Incorrect

Correct

Incorrect

Correct

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Test Yourself

Fill in the blank.

Je ___ le café. (payer)

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: paie
Je takes the i-shift.
Choose the correct form. Multiple Choice

Nous ___ la cuisine.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: nettoyons
Nous keeps the y.
Correct the sentence. Error Correction

Find and fix the mistake:

Tu payes le livre.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: Tu paies le livre.
Tu takes the i-shift.
Reorder the words. Sentence Building

paient / ils / facture / la

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: Ils paient la facture.
Standard SVO order.
Conjugate envoyer for 'vous'. Conjugation Drill

Vous ___ un email.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: envoyez
Vous keeps the y.
Match the subject to the verb. Match Pairs

Match each item on the left with its pair on the right:

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: paie / payons
Correct conjugation for both.
Is this true? True False Rule

The y-i swap applies to 'nous'.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: False
Nous keeps the y.
Complete the dialogue. Dialogue Completion

A: Tu paies ? B: Non, je ne ___ pas.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: paie
Je takes the i-shift.

Score: /8

Practice Exercises

8 exercises
Fill in the blank.

Je ___ le café. (payer)

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: paie
Je takes the i-shift.
Choose the correct form. Multiple Choice

Nous ___ la cuisine.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: nettoyons
Nous keeps the y.
Correct the sentence. Error Correction

Find and fix the mistake:

Tu payes le livre.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: Tu paies le livre.
Tu takes the i-shift.
Reorder the words. Sentence Building

paient / ils / facture / la

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: Ils paient la facture.
Standard SVO order.
Conjugate envoyer for 'vous'. Conjugation Drill

Vous ___ un email.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: envoyez
Vous keeps the y.
Match the subject to the verb. Match Pairs

Je / Nous

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: paie / payons
Correct conjugation for both.
Is this true? True False Rule

The y-i swap applies to 'nous'.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: False
Nous keeps the y.
Complete the dialogue. Dialogue Completion

A: Tu paies ? B: Non, je ne ___ pas.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: paie
Je takes the i-shift.

Score: /8

Practice Bank

10 exercises
Fill in the blank Fill in the Blank

Tu ___ (payer) l'addition ?

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: paies
Translate into French Translation

We are sending an email.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: Nous envoyons un email.
Put the words in the correct order Sentence Reorder

nettoie / Je / cuisine / la

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: Je nettoie la cuisine.
Which form of 'essayer' fits best? Multiple Choice

Elle ___ de comprendre la leçon.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: essaie
Match the subject with the correct verb form Match Pairs

Match the pairs:

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: Je : nettoie
Fix the mistake Error Correction

Vous envoiez une photo ?

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: Vous envoyez une photo ?
Fill in the blank Fill in the Blank

Il ___ (appuyer) sur le bouton.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: appuie
Which sentence is correct? Multiple Choice

Pick the right one:

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: Elles s'ennuient à la fête.
Translate into French Translation

Are you (formal) paying?

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: Vous payez ?
Reorder the sentence Sentence Reorder

message / un / envoie / Tu

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: Tu envoies un message.

Score: /10

FAQ (8)

It's a spelling convention to maintain the sound of the stem before a silent 'e'.

It's a common variant, but 'paie' is the standard form.

Yes, almost all of them follow this rule.

It follows the same rule: j'envoie, nous envoyons.

You will see it in informal writing, but it's better to use 'i' in formal contexts.

Because the ending '-ons' starts with a vowel, so the 'y' is needed.

No, it's a very consistent rule once you practice it.

Very few, but most -yer verbs follow this pattern perfectly.

Scaffolded Practice

1

1

2

2

3

3

4

4

Mastery Progress

Needs Practice

Improving

Strong

Mastered

Sign up free to practice

In Other Languages

Spanish moderate

pagar

Spanish doesn't have the spelling change.

German low

zahlen

German uses different endings.

Japanese none

harau

Japanese has no person-based conjugation.

Arabic none

yadfa

Arabic uses a root system.

Chinese none

fùkuǎn

Chinese verbs are invariant.

English low

to pay

English is analytic.

Learning Path

Prerequisites

Previous
Buying & Lifting: The e → è Accent Change
Next
French Commands: The Imperative (tu, nous, vous)

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