A1 Present Tense 22 min read Easy

French Present Tense Expressions (Avoir, Être, Faire, Aller)

Mastering the 'Big Four' verbs allows you to express 90% of daily physical and social needs in French.
Mark as Learned
Practice it

Grammar Rule in 30 Seconds

These four verbs are the building blocks of French; memorize their unique patterns to unlock basic communication.

  • Avoir (to have) is used for possession and age: 'J'ai faim' (I am hungry).
  • Être (to be) describes identity and states: 'Je suis fatigué' (I am tired).
  • Faire (to do/make) and Aller (to go) are essential for daily activities: 'Je fais du sport' (I do sports).
Subject + (Avoir/Être/Faire/Aller) + Complement

Overview

French grammar often employs specific verbs in idiomatic expressions where English uses a different construction. This article focuses on four fundamental verbs – avoir (to have), être (to be), faire (to do/make), and aller (to go) – which are central to expressing common states, needs, activities, and conditions in French. These verbs are indispensable for A1 learners, as their mastery unlocks the ability to communicate essential daily information accurately.

Understanding why French uses avoir for age, faire for weather, or aller for health, rather than direct translations from English, reveals a distinct conceptual framework that is crucial for fluency.

Unlike English, which frequently uses "to be" for many conditions (e.g., "I am hungry," "I am 20 years old"), French attributes these states as possessions or actions. For instance, expressing hunger literally translates to "I have hunger" (J'ai faim), and age becomes "I have 20 years" (J'ai 20 ans). This grammatical divergence is not arbitrary; it reflects an inherent difference in how these concepts are perceived and articulated within the language.

Mastering these core verbs and their associated expressions is a foundational step towards sounding natural and comprehensible in French.

Conjugation Table

Subject Pronoun Avoir (to have) Être (to be) Faire (to do/make) Aller (to go)
:-------------- :--------------- :------------- :------------------ :--------------
Je (I) J'ai (I have) Je suis (I am) Je fais (I do/make) Je vais (I go)
Tu (You, informal) Tu as (You have) Tu es (You are) Tu fais (You do/make) Tu vas (You go)
Il (He) Il a (He has) Il est (He is) Il fait (He does/makes) Il va (He goes)
Elle (She) Elle a (She has) Elle est (She is) Elle fait (She does/makes) Elle va (She goes)
On (One/We, informal) On a (One has/We have) On est (One is/We are) On fait (One does/makes/We do/make) On va (One goes/We go)
Nous (We, formal) Nous avons (We have) Nous sommes (We are) Nous faisons (We do/make) Nous allons (We go)
Vous (You, formal/plural) Vous avez (You have) Vous êtes (You are) Vous faites (You do/make) Vous allez (You go)
Ils (They, masculine/mixed) Ils ont (They have) Ils sont (They are) Ils font (They do/make) Ils vont (They go)
Elles (They, feminine) Elles ont (They have) Elles sont (They are) Elles font (They do/make) Elles vont (They go)

How This Grammar Works

French idiomatic expressions frequently involve a specific verb combined with a noun or adjective, forming a fixed phrase. This phenomenon is known as collocation, where certain words naturally occur together. The choice of verb (avoir, être, faire, aller) dictates the meaning and grammatical structure of these expressions, often diverging from a literal English translation.
  • Avoir (to have): This verb is predominantly used for expressions of possession, age, and physical sensations or needs. French considers many states that English describes with "to be" as something one possesses. For example, J'ai faim (I have hunger) describes a physical state as a belonging, a transient condition one experiences. Similarly, J'ai froid (I have cold) and J'ai 25 ans (I have 25 years) follow this pattern. This conceptualization treats these conditions as external entities temporarily held by the subject.
  • Être (to be): Être expresses inherent states of being, identity, location, and qualities. It describes what someone or something is or where they are. Je suis étudiant (I am a student) defines a role. Nous sommes à Paris (We are in Paris) indicates location. Adjectives used with être must agree in gender and number with the subject, reflecting the inherent quality. Elle est grande (She is tall), but Il est grand (He is tall).
  • Faire (to do/make): This verb is central to expressing actions, activities, and environmental conditions (weather). Faire du sport (to do sport) describes an action. Il fait beau (It makes beautiful) idiomatically conveys pleasant weather, portraying the weather as an active agent. The distinction lies in faire describing an activity or an external condition that is made or happens, rather than an inherent state. Je fais la cuisine (I do the cooking) exemplifies an activity or process.
  • Aller (to go): While primarily meaning "to go," aller is crucial for discussing health and general well-being. Comment ça va ? (How goes it?) is the standard inquiry about one's health, and Je vais bien (I go well) is the typical response. This usage conceptualizes well-being as a continuous journey or process. It also retains its literal meaning for physical movement, such as Nous allons au marché (We are going to the market).
These distinctions demonstrate that understanding French expressions requires moving beyond word-for-word translation and embracing the conceptual framework native speakers utilize. The choice of verb fundamentally alters the meaning and grammatical validity of the phrase.

Formation Pattern

1
Forming these essential French present tense expressions follows a consistent, three-step pattern. Mastering this structure ensures grammatical correctness, even when the literal translation deviates from English logic.
2
Identify the Subject: Determine who or what is performing the action or experiencing the state. This will be a noun or a subject pronoun (Je, Tu, Il/Elle/On, Nous, Vous, Ils/Elles). For example, if you want to say "I am hungry," the subject is Je.
3
Choose the Correct Verb: Select avoir, être, faire, or aller based on the concept you wish to express. This is the crucial step where French differs significantly from English. For hunger, you must use avoir (to have), not être (to be). Similarly, for weather, faire is required, not être.
4
Conjugate the Verb in the Present Tense: Match the chosen verb to your identified subject pronoun according to the present tense conjugations. If the subject is Je and the verb is avoir, the conjugated form is ai, resulting in J'ai.
5
Add the Complement: Append the appropriate noun, adjective, or adverb that completes the expression. This complement is often a fixed part of the idiom. For J'ai, the complement for hunger is faim. Thus, J'ai faim is formed. For weather, Il fait is followed by an adjective like beau (beautiful) or froid (cold): Il fait beau (It is beautiful weather). For states of being, Elle est is followed by an adjective like fatiguée (tired): Elle est fatiguée (She is tired).
6
Example Breakdown:
7
To say "You are cold" (informal):
8
Subject: Tu
9
Verb for physical sensation: avoir
10
Conjugation: Tu as
11
Complement: froid (cold, noun)
12
Result: Tu as froid.
13
To say "We are students" (formal):
14
Subject: Nous
15
Verb for identity/state of being: être
16
Conjugation: Nous sommes
17
Complement: étudiants (students, noun, plural)
18
Result: Nous sommes étudiants.
19
This systematic approach ensures accurate construction, preventing common errors that arise from direct English translation.

When To Use It

These four verbs are integral to daily French conversation and are used to express a wide array of common situations. Here are the primary contexts for each, alongside concrete examples.
Avoir (to have): Used for sensations, age, and necessity.
  • Physical Sensations/Needs: To express hunger, thirst, feeling hot or cold, or sleepiness.
  • J'ai faim. (I am hungry. / I have hunger.)
  • Elle a soif. (She is thirsty. / She has thirst.)
  • Nous avons chaud en été. (We are hot in summer. / We have hot in summer.)
  • Ils ont sommeil. (They are sleepy. / They have sleepiness.)
  • Age: To state someone's age.
  • Tu as quel âge ? (How old are you? / What age do you have?)
  • J'ai 20 ans. (I am 20 years old. / I have 20 years.)
  • Necessity/Obligation: To express needing something (often followed by besoin de).
  • Vous avez besoin d'aide ? (Do you need help? / Do you have need of help?)
  • J'ai envie de voyager. (I feel like traveling. / I have desire to travel.)
  • Fear/Shame: To express fear (peur) or shame (honte).
  • Il a peur des araignées. (He is afraid of spiders. / He has fear of spiders.)
  • Elles ont honte de leurs erreurs. (They are ashamed of their mistakes. / They have shame of their mistakes.)
Être (to be): Used for identity, location, and inherent qualities.
  • Identity/Profession/Nationality: To describe who someone is.
  • Je suis français. (I am French.)
  • Elle est étudiante. (She is a student.)
  • Nous sommes amis. (We are friends.)
  • Location: To indicate where someone or something is.
  • Où êtes-vous ? Je suis à la gare. (Where are you? I am at the train station.)
  • Le livre est sur la table. (The book is on the table.)
  • States of Being (temporary or permanent): To describe emotional states, availability, or status.
  • Il est heureux. (He is happy.)
  • Vous êtes prêt(e)s ? (Are you ready?)
  • Je suis en retard. (I am late.)
Faire (to do/make): Used for actions, activities, and weather.
  • Activities/Hobbies: To describe engaging in an activity or sport.
  • Que fais-tu ce week-end ? Je fais du sport. (What are you doing this weekend? I'm doing sports.)
  • Elle fait de la musique. (She makes music / She plays music.)
  • Nous faisons la lessive. (We are doing the laundry.)
  • Weather Expressions: The impersonal il (it) is used with faire to describe weather conditions.
  • Il fait beau aujourd'hui. (It is beautiful weather today.)
  • Il fait froid en hiver. (It is cold in winter.)
  • Il fait du vent. (It is windy. / It makes wind.)
  • General Actions: To express performing an action.
  • Je fais mes devoirs. (I do my homework.)
\ * Ils font leurs valises. (They are packing their bags.)
Aller (to go): Used for health, well-being, and physical movement.
  • Health/Well-being: To inquire about or state one's health.
  • Comment vas-tu ? Je vais bien, merci. (How are you? I am well, thank you.)
  • Mon père va mieux après sa maladie. (My father is better after his illness.)
  • Movement to a Destination: Its literal meaning of traveling or moving towards a place.
  • Tu vas à la bibliothèque ? (Are you going to the library?)
  • Nous allons souvent au cinéma. (We often go to the cinema.)
These examples illustrate the distinct semantic domains governed by each verb, highlighting the necessity of internalizing these specific collocations rather than relying on direct translation.

When Not To Use It

Understanding when not to use these verbs, especially être when avoir is required, is as crucial as knowing their correct application. Misapplication often leads to grammatical errors or unintentionally altered meanings.
  • Age with être: Never use être to express age. A common beginner error is Je suis 25 ans. This translates literally to "I am 25 years," which is grammatically incorrect and illogical in French. The correct expression is J'ai 25 ans ("I have 25 years"). French views age as something one possesses, a quantity accumulated over time, not an inherent state of being.
  • Physical sensations with être: Avoid using être for physical states like hunger, thirst, or feeling hot/cold. Je suis faim ("I am hunger") or Je suis froid ("I am cold") are incorrect. These conditions are expressed with avoir: J'ai faim, J'ai froid. These are possessions, not intrinsic qualities of the subject.
  • Weather with être (for impersonal conditions): While Le temps est beau ("The weather is beautiful") is grammatically possible, the standard and more idiomatic way to describe general weather conditions is with faire and the impersonal il. For instance, Il fait beau is far more common and natural than Le temps est beau. Using être with specific weather nouns can imply a more direct, personified description of the weather itself, which is less common for general statements.
  • Well-being with être (meaning health): While Je suis bien can mean "I am comfortable" or "I feel good (in a specific situation)," it does not typically refer to one's general health. If asked Comment vas-tu ?, replying Je suis bien would be inappropriate. The correct response, indicating good health, is Je vais bien ("I am going well"). Être bien implies a state of comfort or suitability in a given context, whereas aller bien addresses one's physical or mental health status.
  • Activities with être: You cannot use être to describe performing an activity. For example, Je suis du sport is incorrect for "I am doing sport." Actions are expressed with faire: Je fais du sport. Être describes what you are, not what you do.
These distinctions are fundamental to accurate French expression. Always consider whether the concept you are conveying is a possession/sensation, an inherent quality/location, an action/environmental condition, or a state of well-being/movement.

Common Mistakes

Learners frequently encounter specific pitfalls when applying these four fundamental verbs. These errors often stem from direct translation from English or a lack of understanding of the underlying French semantic structures.
  • The Avoir vs. Être Trap (Age, Hunger, Thirst, Cold/Heat, Fear): This is the most prevalent error for beginners. Recalling that French treats these as possessions is key.
  • Incorrect: Je suis 25 ans. (I am 25 years.)
  • Correct: J'ai 25 ans. (I have 25 years.)
  • Incorrect: Tu es faim. (You are hunger.)
  • Correct: Tu as faim. (You have hunger.)
  • Incorrect: Elle est soif. (She is thirst.)
  • Correct: Elle a soif. (She has thirst.)
  • Je suis chaud Misconception: While J'ai chaud correctly means "I am hot" (feeling warm), Je suis chaud can carry a sexual connotation, meaning "I am horny" or "I am excited/up for it" in informal contexts. Always use J'ai chaud to express feeling physically warm to avoid misunderstanding. This is a critical cultural and linguistic nuance.
  • Weather with Il est: For general weather descriptions, il fait is the standard. Using il est for weather is generally incorrect unless referring to a specific characteristic of the sky, which is less common for A1 learners.
  • Incorrect: Il est froid. (to mean 'It's cold weather')
  • Correct: Il fait froid. (It makes cold weather.)
  • Incorrect: Il est nuageux. (It is cloudy.)
  • Correct: Il fait nuageux. (It makes cloudy weather.)
  • Confusion with bien:
  • Je vais bien means "I am doing well" (health/general state).
  • Je suis bien means "I am comfortable" or "I feel good (in this situation)." For example, Je suis bien sur ce canapé (I am comfortable on this sofa). These are distinct concepts, and swapping them changes the meaning considerably.
  • Adjective Agreement with être: When être is used with an adjective, the adjective must agree in gender and number with the subject. This is often overlooked.
  • Incorrect: Elle est fatigué. (She is tired - masculine form.)
  • Correct: Elle est fatiguée. (She is tired - feminine form.)
  • Incorrect: Ils sont intelligent. (They are intelligent - singular form.)
  • Correct: Ils sont intelligents. (They are intelligent - plural form.)
  • Faire vs. Jouer for Sports/Activities: Faire du/de la/de l'/des is used for most sports and activities, particularly those without a ball or where you "do" the activity. Jouer à/au/à la/aux is typically used for ball sports or games.
  • Je fais du tennis. (I play/do tennis.)
  • Je joue au football. (I play football.)
  • Incorrect: Je joue du vélo.
  • Correct: Je fais du vélo. (I ride a bike / I do cycling.)
Attentive practice and a conscious effort to differentiate these uses will significantly reduce such errors.

Memory Trick

To distinguish between avoir and être for states often expressed with "to be" in English, think about the nature of the condition: is it something you possess (even temporarily), or something you are?

- Avoir (Possession/Temporary State): Imagine you are physically holding the condition. You have hunger, you have years (age), you have coldness. It's an external feeling or a quantity you possess. Think of avoir as a backpack: you put sensations and years into your backpack. You carry them.

- J'ai faim. (I have [a feeling of] hunger.)

- Tu as soif. (You have [a feeling of] thirst.)

- Il a froid. (He has [a feeling of] cold.)

- Nous avons 30 ans. (We have 30 years.)

- Être (Identity/Permanent/Inherent State): Think of être as your identity card: it describes who you are, your inherent qualities, your profession, or your fixed location. These are intrinsic to you or your stable position.

- Je suis étudiant(e). (I am a student.)

- Tu es grand(e). (You are tall.)

- Elle est à Paris. (She is in Paris.)

- Nous sommes fatigués. (We are tired.)

For faire (to do/make) and aller (to go):

- Faire (Action/External Factor): Visualize faire as active doing or something the environment does. You do sport, you do homework. The weather makes itself beautiful or cold. Think of it as action-oriented.

- Je fais du sport. (I do sport.)

- Il fait beau. (It makes beautiful weather.)

- Aller (Movement/Process/Well-being): Remember aller as relating to movement or a process of going. Your health is a journey, it's going somewhere. You go to places. Think of it as a verb of motion and progression.

- Je vais bien. (I am going well [in terms of health].)

- Nous allons au cinéma. (We are going to the cinema.)

By associating these verbs with clear conceptual images – backpack (possession), ID card (identity), action (doing), journey (going) – you can build stronger mental links and reduce confusion.

Real Conversations

In modern French communication, especially in informal contexts like texting, social media, or casual dialogue, these expressions are ubiquitous. Their usage is concise and frequent, reflecting how native speakers genuinely communicate.

- Texting/Instant Messaging: Abbreviations and informal conjugations are common, but the core expressions remain.

- Friend A: Ça va ? (How's it going?)

- Friend B: Oui, je vais bien. T'as faim ? (Yes, I'm well. Are you hungry? - informal tu as often reduced to t'as in speech and text)

- Friend A: Un peu ! On va manger quoi ? (A little! What are we going to eat? - on for nous is very common)

- Casual Dialogue: Notice the natural flow and embedded usage.

- "Il fait froid aujourd'hui, non? J'ai mes gants." (It's cold today, isn't it? I have my gloves.) – Demonstrates faire for weather and avoir for possession/sensation.

- "Tu es libre ce soir? On va au concert, si tu veux." (Are you free tonight? We're going to the concert, if you want.) – être for state, aller for movement, on for nous.

- Work/School Context (Informal): Even in slightly more formal, but still casual, settings, these are essential.

- "Je suis en retard pour la réunion. Vous êtes déjà là ?" (I'm late for the meeting. Are you already there?)

- "Non, nous faisons une pause café. On arrive !" (No, we're taking a coffee break. We're coming!)

These examples highlight several aspects of real French usage: the frequent use of on instead of nous in spoken and informal written French, the tendency to shorten phrases, and the seamless integration of these expressions into everyday exchanges. Learners should aim to recognize and replicate these natural patterns rather than rigid, overly formal constructions.

Contrast With Similar Patterns

The most significant challenge for English speakers learning these French expressions is the conceptual divergence in how certain states or actions are framed. Direct translation often fails, necessitating a shift in perspective.
  • Avoir (to have) vs. English "To be": For many physical states and age, English uses "to be," while French uses avoir (to have). This is a fundamental difference.
  • English: "I am hungry/thirsty/cold/hot/sleepy."
  • French: J'ai faim/soif/froid/chaud/sommeil. (I have hunger/thirst/cold/hot/sleepiness.)
  • English: "I am 30 years old."
  • French: J'ai 30 ans. (I have 30 years.)
  • Simple Present vs. Progressive Tense: English frequently uses the present progressive (e.g., "I am eating") to describe ongoing actions. French typically uses the simple present tense for this purpose.
  • English: "I am eating."
  • French: Je mange. (I eat.)
  • If emphasis on the in-progress nature of the action is required (similar to "I am in the middle of eating"), French uses the construction être en train de + infinitive.
  • Je suis en train de manger. (I am in the process of eating.)
  • Faire (to do/make) vs. Jouer (to play): Both verbs can relate to activities, but their usage for sports and hobbies differs systematically.
  • Faire de/du/de la/des + activity: Used for many activities and non-ball sports where one "does" the activity.
  • Je fais du vélo. (I cycle / I do cycling.)
  • Elle fait de la natation. (She swims / She does swimming.)
  • Nous faisons du ski. (We ski / We do skiing.)
  • Jouer à/au/à la/aux + game/ball sport: Used for sports involving a ball or for games.
  • Je joue au tennis. (I play tennis.)
  • Elle joue au football. (She plays football.)
  • Nous jouons aux cartes. (We play cards.)
  • Être bien vs. Aller bien: These phrases, while seemingly similar, convey distinct meanings.
  • Être bien implies being in a state of comfort, being at ease, or being suitable in a particular situation.
  • Je suis bien ici. (I feel good/comfortable here.)
  • Ce pull est bien. (This sweater is good/fits well.)
  • Aller bien refers to one's health or general well-being.
  • Je vais bien. (I am well/doing fine [health-wise].)
Recognizing these contrasts is vital for avoiding calques (word-for-word translations) from English and for acquiring truly idiomatic French.

Progressive Practice

1

Integrating these fundamental expressions into your active French vocabulary requires consistent, varied practice. Move beyond rote memorization to application in context.

2

- Daily Self-Check: Throughout your day, whenever you experience one of these states or perform an action, mentally formulate the French expression. If you feel hungry, think J'ai faim. If you are going to the store, think Je vais au magasin. This builds instinctive recall.

3

- Sentence Creation: Regularly compose short sentences incorporating these verbs in different contexts. Create sentences about yourself, your friends, family, and daily routines. For example, Ma sœur a 22 ans et elle fait du yoga. Elle va très bien. (My sister is 22 and she does yoga. She is doing very well.)

4

- Role-Playing and Dialogue Practice: Engage in simple dialogues, either with a language partner, a tutor, or even by talking to yourself. Practice asking and answering questions using these expressions: Comment vas-tu ?, Qu'est-ce que tu fais ce soir ?, Tu as froid ?.

5

- Listening and Imitation: Pay close attention to how native speakers use these verbs in French media (podcasts, videos, music). Notice the context and intonation. Try to mimic their usage, focusing on natural phrasing and pronunciation.

6

- Flashcards with Context: Instead of single words, create flashcards with full idiomatic expressions on one side and their English meaning (and a small usage note) on the other. For instance, card front: Avoir besoin de, card back: "To need (lit. to have need of)".

7

- Journaling: Start a simple daily journal in French, focusing on using these expressions to describe your feelings, activities, and current conditions. Aujourd'hui, il fait beau. J'ai un peu sommeil. Je vais faire mes devoirs après le café. (Today, it's nice out. I'm a little sleepy. I'm going to do my homework after coffee.)

8

Consistent, conscious effort to actively produce and recognize these patterns will solidify your understanding and make their use automatic.

Quick FAQ

Q: Why does French use avoir for age and physical sensations?
A: French conceptually views age and many physical sensations (hunger, thirst, cold, heat, fear) as possessions or temporary states that one "has," rather than inherent qualities that one "is." For example, J'ai 25 ans literally means "I have 25 years," and J'ai faim means "I have hunger." This reflects a different linguistic framework from English.
Q: Is Je suis chaud always inappropriate?
A: Je suis chaud can have a strong sexual connotation in informal French, meaning "I am horny," or it can also mean "I am up for it/excited" in a very casual context for an activity. To simply express feeling warm, you must use J'ai chaud ("I have hot"). Always err on the side of J'ai chaud unless you are absolutely certain of the context and your intent.
Q: Can I use faire for all sports and activities?
A: Faire de/du/de la/des is used for the vast majority of sports and activities, particularly those where you "do" the activity (e.g., faire du vélo, faire de la natation). However, for ball sports and games, the verb jouer à/au/à la/aux is used (e.g., jouer au football, jouer aux cartes). Learn which preposition and article to use with each.
Q: What is the difference between Il fait beau and Le temps est beau?
A: Il fait beau is the most common and idiomatic way to describe pleasant weather. It uses the impersonal il and faire. Le temps est beau is grammatically correct and means "The weather is beautiful," but it is less frequently used in casual conversation for general weather statements.
Always prioritize il fait for weather expressions for A1 level.
Q: How do I express "I am going to do something" in French?
A: To express immediate future or intention, French uses the aller + infinitive construction, also known as the futur proche. For example, Je vais manger means "I am going to eat" or "I will eat (soon)." This is a separate but related use of aller that signifies future action.
Q: Why is on used so much in French?
A: On is an impersonal pronoun, originally meaning "one." However, in modern spoken and informal written French, on is very frequently used as a substitute for nous (we). It's less formal and often sounds more natural than nous. While nous is still correct and used in formal contexts, on is prevalent in everyday conversations (On va au ciné ? instead of Nous allons au ciné ?).
Its verb conjugation always matches il/elle.

Present Tense Conjugation

Pronoun Être Avoir Faire Aller
Je
suis
ai
fais
vais
Tu
es
as
fais
vas
Il/Elle
est
a
fait
va
Nous
sommes
avons
faisons
allons
Vous
êtes
avez
faites
allez
Ils/Elles
sont
ont
font
vont

Meanings

These verbs are the foundation of French grammar, used to express existence, possession, action, and movement.

1

Existence and Identity

Using 'être' to define who or what something is.

“Je suis français.”

“C'est une pomme.”

2

Possession and States

Using 'avoir' for ownership or physical sensations.

“J'ai une voiture.”

“Il a soif.”

3

Action and Activity

Using 'faire' for tasks and habits.

“Je fais mes devoirs.”

“Tu fais du vélo.”

4

Movement and Future

Using 'aller' for travel or near future.

“Je vais à Paris.”

“Tu vas bien ?”

Reference Table

Reference table for French Present Tense Expressions (Avoir, Être, Faire, Aller)
Form Structure Example
Affirmative
Subject + Verb
Je suis ici.
Negative
Subject + ne + Verb + pas
Je ne suis pas ici.
Question
Verb + Subject
Es-tu ici ?
Question
Est-ce que + Subject + Verb
Est-ce que tu es ici ?
Short Answer
Oui/Non + Subject + Verb
Oui, je le suis.
Near Future
Aller + Infinitive
Je vais manger.

Formality Spectrum

Formal
Je vais au magasin.

Je vais au magasin. (Daily life)

Neutral
Je vais au magasin.

Je vais au magasin. (Daily life)

Informal
Je file au magasin.

Je file au magasin. (Daily life)

Slang
Je trace au magasin.

Je trace au magasin. (Daily life)

The Big Four Verbs

French Verbs

Existence

  • Être To be

Possession

  • Avoir To have

Action

  • Faire To do

Movement

  • Aller To go
Sign up free to read full explanation

Examples by Level

1

Je suis étudiant.

I am a student.

2

J'ai un chien.

I have a dog.

3

Tu fais du sport.

You do sports.

4

Nous allons à Paris.

We are going to Paris.

1

Il n'est pas ici.

He is not here.

2

Est-ce que tu as faim ?

Are you hungry?

3

Ils font leurs devoirs.

They are doing their homework.

4

Elle va manger bientôt.

She is going to eat soon.

1

J'ai été très occupé.

I have been very busy.

2

Nous allons faire une promenade.

We are going to take a walk.

3

Il fait beau aujourd'hui.

The weather is nice today.

4

Tu es en train de lire.

You are in the middle of reading.

1

Il faut que je fasse attention.

I must pay attention.

2

Elle a eu tort de partir.

She was wrong to leave.

3

Nous sommes allés au cinéma.

We went to the cinema.

4

Ça fait longtemps.

It has been a long time.

1

Il s'en est allé sans rien dire.

He went away without saying anything.

2

Qu'est-ce que ça fait ?

What difference does it make?

3

J'ai beau essayer, je n'y arrive pas.

Try as I might, I can't do it.

4

Il est à noter que...

It should be noted that...

1

Il en va de même pour vous.

The same goes for you.

2

Fais-en ce que tu veux.

Do what you want with it.

3

Il a été fait prisonnier.

He was taken prisoner.

4

Allons bon, que se passe-t-il ?

Well, what is happening?

Easily Confused

French Present Tense Expressions (Avoir, Être, Faire, Aller) vs Être vs Avoir for age

Learners use 'être' because English uses 'to be'.

French Present Tense Expressions (Avoir, Être, Faire, Aller) vs Faire vs Aller

Both are irregular and common.

French Present Tense Expressions (Avoir, Être, Faire, Aller) vs Être vs Avoir for states

Physical sensations use 'avoir'.

Common Mistakes

✗

Je suis faim

✓

J'ai faim

Use avoir for physical states.
✗

Je suis 20 ans

✓

J'ai 20 ans

Use avoir for age.
✗

Il est aller

✓

Il va

Do not combine conjugated verbs.
✗

J'ai aller

✓

Je vais

Aller is the verb for go.
✗

Je ne suis pas avoir

✓

Je n'ai pas

Negative structure.
✗

Tu es fais

✓

Tu fais

Do not use être with faire.
✗

Nous sommes allons

✓

Nous allons

Redundant conjugation.
✗

J'ai été allé

✓

Je suis allé

Aller uses être in passé composé.
✗

Il a fait froid

✓

Il fait froid

Weather uses present tense.
✗

Je suis avoir

✓

J'ai

Incorrect auxiliary.
✗

Il est à faire

✓

Il faut faire

Idiomatic expression.
✗

Ça a fait

✓

Ça fait

Idiomatic duration.
✗

Il va d'être

✓

Il va être

Grammar structure.

Sentence Patterns

Je ___ à la maison.

Tu ___ un livre.

Il ___ fatigué.

Nous ___ du sport.

Real World Usage

Texting constant

T'es où ?

Job Interview very common

Je suis motivé.

Travel very common

Je vais à la gare.

Food Delivery common

J'ai faim.

Social Media common

Je fais du shopping.

Ordering Coffee common

J'ai un café.

Sign up free to see all examples
💡

Memorize the 'Je' form

If you know the 'Je' form, you are halfway there.
⚠️

Watch the 'Tu' form

The 'Tu' form often ends in 's' but not always.
🎯

Use flashcards

These are irregular, so repetition is key.
💬

Listen to natives

Notice how they link words.

Smart Tips

Think 'I have X years' instead of 'I am X years'.

Je suis 20 ans. → J'ai 20 ans.

Think 'I have hunger' instead of 'I am hungry'.

Je suis faim. → J'ai faim.

Use 'Aller' + infinitive.

Je mangerai. → Je vais manger.

Use 'Être' + profession.

J'ai professeur. → Je suis professeur.

Pronunciation

Nous_avons (noo-za-von)

Liaison

When a word ends in a consonant and the next starts with a vowel, link them.

Rising

Tu vas bien ? ↑

Questioning

Memorize It

Mnemonic

Remember 'E-A-F-A': Every Apple Falls Away.

Visual Association

Imagine a person being (Être) a tree, having (Avoir) apples, doing (Faire) gardening, and going (Aller) home.

Rhyme

Je suis, tu es, il est, c'est vrai, J'ai, tu as, il a, c'est la loi.

Story

I am (Je suis) a traveler. I have (J'ai) a map. I do (Je fais) my best to find the way. I go (Je vais) to the station.

Word Web

suisesestaiasafaisvais

Challenge

Write 4 sentences about your day using one of each verb.

Cultural Notes

French people value the distinction between 'tu' and 'vous'.

Pronunciation of 'allons' can be more nasal.

French is used in formal settings.

These verbs derive from Latin: esse (être), habere (avoir), facere (faire), and ambulare/ire (aller).

Conversation Starters

“

Comment vas-tu ?

“

Qu'est-ce que tu fais ce week-end ?

“

As-tu des projets ?

“

Êtes-vous satisfait de votre travail ?

Journal Prompts

Describe your morning routine.
Where are you going on your next trip?
What do you have in your bag?
Who are you?

Common Mistakes

Incorrect

Correct

Incorrect

Correct

Incorrect

Correct

Incorrect

Correct

Sign up free to see all tips

Test Yourself

Fill in the blank.

Je ___ étudiant.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: suis
Use 'suis' for 'je'.
Choose the correct verb. Multiple Choice

J'___ 20 ans.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: ai
Use 'avoir' for age.
Correct the sentence. Error Correction

Find and fix the mistake:

Je suis faim.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: J'ai faim
Use 'avoir' for hunger.
Reorder the words. Sentence Reorder

Arrange the words in the correct order:

All words placed

Click words above to build the sentence

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: Je vais à Paris
Subject-Verb-Complement.
Translate to French. Translation

I am doing homework.

Answer starts with: Je ...

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: Je fais mes devoirs
Faire is for tasks.
Match the verb to the meaning. Match Pairs

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

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: To be
Être means to be.
Conjugate 'Aller' for 'Nous'. Conjugation Drill

Nous ___

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: allons
Nous allons.
Complete the dialogue. Dialogue Completion

A: Comment ___ tu? B: Je vais bien.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: vas
Tu vas.

Score: /8

Practice Exercises

8 exercises
Fill in the blank.

Je ___ étudiant.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: suis
Use 'suis' for 'je'.
Choose the correct verb. Multiple Choice

J'___ 20 ans.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: ai
Use 'avoir' for age.
Correct the sentence. Error Correction

Find and fix the mistake:

Je suis faim.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: J'ai faim
Use 'avoir' for hunger.
Reorder the words. Sentence Reorder

à / vais / je / Paris

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: Je vais à Paris
Subject-Verb-Complement.
Translate to French. Translation

I am doing homework.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: Je fais mes devoirs
Faire is for tasks.
Match the verb to the meaning. Match Pairs

Être

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: To be
Être means to be.
Conjugate 'Aller' for 'Nous'. Conjugation Drill

Nous ___

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: allons
Nous allons.
Complete the dialogue. Dialogue Completion

A: Comment ___ tu? B: Je vais bien.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: vas
Tu vas.

Score: /8

Practice Bank

10 exercises
Complete the greeting. Fill in the Blank

Comment ___ -tu ? — Je ___ bien !

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: vas / vais
Put the words in the correct order. Sentence Reorder

beau / il / aujourd'hui / fait

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: Il fait beau aujourd'hui.
Translate to French: 'I am late.' Translation

How do you say 'I am late'?

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: Je suis en retard.
Choose the correct expression for 'doing the dishes'. Multiple Choice

Which one is correct?

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: Je fais la vaisselle.
Match the verb to the context. Match Pairs

Match the following:

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: Avoir : Age, Être : Profession, Faire : Weather, Aller : Health
Fix the mistake. Error Correction

Nous sommes soif.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: Nous avons soif.
Fill in the blank. Fill in the Blank

Est-ce que vous ___ prêt ?

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: êtes
Identify the social media caption. Multiple Choice

Which sounds most natural for a hiking photo?

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: Je fais une randonnée !
Order the words. Sentence Reorder

as / raison / tu / toujours

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: Tu as toujours raison.
Translate 'It is cold'. Translation

How do you say 'It is cold' (weather)?

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: Il fait froid.

Score: /10

FAQ (8)

They are very old and used so often that they evolved differently.

No, always use 'avoir'.

No, only for activities and tasks.

Use 'est-ce que' or inversion.

Yes, many, but these are the most important.

Tu is informal, vous is formal or plural.

Je ne suis pas.

For movement or near future.

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 high

ser/estar, tener, hacer, ir

Spanish has two 'to be' verbs (ser/estar).

German moderate

sein, haben, machen, gehen

German word order is more flexible.

Japanese low

desu, aru/iru, suru, iku

No person-based conjugation.

Arabic low

kāna, 'indahu, fa'ala, dhahaba

Root-based system.

Chinese low

shì, yǒu, zuò, qù

No conjugation.

French high

être, avoir, faire, aller

N/A

Learning Path

Prerequisites

Previous
French Verb 'avoir': To Have and To Be (Present Tense)

Related Grammar Rules

A1

French -er Verbs: Master 90% of Actions (parler)

Overview French verbs are foundational to linguistic expression. Approximately **90% of all French verbs** belong to the...
A1

French Verb 'avoir': To Have and To Be (Present Tense)

Overview In French, the verb `avoir` is one of the two most fundamental and frequently used verbs, alongside `être` (to...
A1

Going Places: The Verb 'To Go' (aller)

Overview In French, the verb `aller` stands as an indispensable linguistic tool, frequently ranked among the most essent...
A1

French Verb: To Come (Venir)

Overview `Venir` is one of the most fundamental and frequently used verbs in the French language, meaning primarily **"t...
A1

French -er Verbs: The Easy Path to Speaking (Regular -er Verbs)

Overview In the architecture of the French language, regular `-er` verbs are the foundational building blocks. They rep...
Was this helpful?

Comments (0)

Login to Comment
No comments yet. Be the first to share your thoughts!