être present tense conjugation
Être (to be) in the present tense: suis, es, est, sommes, êtes, sont.
Présent Present
| je | regular: êts |
|---|---|
| tu | regular: êts |
| il/elle/on | regular: êt |
| nous | regular: êtons |
| vous | regular: êtez |
| ils/elles | regular: êtent |
ending regular · irr breaks the pattern · tap a form to hear it
When to use the present tense
The présent covers both “I do” and “I am doing”, as well as habits, general truths and the near future.
How it is formed
Regular -er verbs: e, es, e, ons, ez, ent. Regular -ir verbs (finir): is, is, it, issons, issez, issent. Most third-group verbs use s, s, t, ons, ez, ent with stem changes.
Être is irregular here. 6 of 6 forms break the pattern (dark tiles above); the regular pattern would give êts, êts, êt, êtons, êtez, êtent.
Être in a sentence
- Je suis étudiant à Paris.I am a student in Paris.
- Elle était contente hier.She was happy yesterday.
Highly irregular; auxiliary for many verbs of movement and all reflexives in passé composé.
FAQ
What is the present tense of être?
Être in the French present tense: je suis, tu es, il/elle/on est, nous sommes, vous êtes, ils/elles sont.
Is être irregular in the present tense?
Yes. 6 of 6 forms break the regular pattern: je suis (regular would be êts); tu es (regular would be êts); il/elle/on est (regular would be êt); nous sommes (regular would be êtons); vous êtes (regular would be êtez); ils/elles sont (regular would be êtent).
When do you use the French present tense?
The présent covers both “I do” and “I am doing”, as well as habits, general truths and the near future.
How is the present tense formed?
Regular -er verbs: e, es, e, ons, ez, ent. Regular -ir verbs (finir): is, is, it, issons, issez, issent. Most third-group verbs use s, s, t, ons, ez, ent with stem changes.
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