CEFR A1
What you will learn
- Use an explicit subject pronoun in a basic personal declarative or interrogative sentence.
- Choose the correct ending of a regular -er verb for its subject.
Before you start
- Recognise the vocabulary and forms shown in this lesson’s key idea and paradigm.
The idea
In a basic personal present-tense sentence, French expresses the subject; the same present covers habits and actions happening now.
Most regular verbs ending in “-er” follow this productive model: remove “-er” and add “-e, -es, -e, -ons, -ez, -ent”. From “parler” you get “je parle, tu parles, il parle, nous parlons, vous parlez, ils parlent”. “Aller” is an exception learned separately.
Four of the six forms sound alike in isolation: “parle”, “parles”, “parle” and “parlent” are pronounced /parl/. Spelling and the subject distinguish them, so keep both pieces of information when building the sentence.
Personal declarative and interrogative clauses express the subject: “Je parle”, not bare “parle”. The imperative is a different structure and does appear without a pronoun: “Parle !”.
And there is something you will miss: French has no separate form for what is happening right now. “Je parle” means both “I speak” and “I am speaking”, and the context decides. There is a phrase for insisting on the here and now, but it comes later and it is used far less than the English continuous.
Regular -er present
| sujet | parler | terminaison |
|---|---|---|
| je | je parle | -e |
| tu | tu parles | -es |
| il / elle / on | il parle | -e |
| nous | nous parlons | -ons |
| vous | vous parlez | -ez |
| ils / elles | ils parlent | -ent |
How it sounds
- Je parle français avec ma voisine.This can be today or every day: it is the same present tense.
- Tu travailles trop.The “-s” in “travailles” is silent. You only see it.
- Nous habitons à Lyon depuis trois ans.The “-ons” ending of “nous” is audible, unlike the silent endings in the nearby examples.
- Ils regardent la télévision.“-ent” is silent: “regardent” sounds just like “regarde”.
Check objective 1Another case
A proposed answer is “Toi” for this case: “Toi habites à Marseille ?”. Choose the only valid form.
A proposed answer is “Te” for this case: “Te habites à Marseille ?”. Choose the only valid form.
Answer available without interaction
Answer: Tu — The subject is “tu”. “Toi” exists, but it does not go in front of the verb.
The subject is “tu”. “Toi” exists, but it does not go in front of the verb.
Answer: Tu — The subject is “tu”. “Toi” exists, but it does not go in front of the verb.
The subject is “tu”. “Toi” exists, but it does not go in front of the verb.
Check objective 2Another case
A proposed answer is “parlez” for this case: “Nous parlez le français à l'école.”. Choose the only valid form.
A proposed answer is “parlent” for this case: “Nous parlent le français à l'école.”. Choose the only valid form.
Answer available without interaction
Answer: parlons — With “nous” the ending is “-ons”, and this one is audible.
With “nous” the ending is “-ons”, and this one is audible.
Answer: parlons — With “nous” the ending is “-ons”, and this one is audible.
With “nous” the ending is “-ons”, and this one is audible.
When it doesn't hold
What breaks the rule, said out loud. Hiding it is what makes you feel cheated in the exam.
- Verbs in “-ger” and “-cer” add a letter in the “nous” form so that the sound does not change.Nous mangeons. Nous commençons.
- “Aller” ends in “-er” and does not follow the pattern: it is the only one, and you have to learn it whole.Je vais, tu vas, il va, nous allons.
What your own language pushes you to say
Wrong Je suis parlant français avec ma voisine.
Right Je parle français avec ma voisine.
English already expresses the subject. The transfer risk is using “être + present participle” for an action in progress: standard French normally uses the simple present here, “Je parle”, while “être en train de” is reserved for explicit emphasis on an action in progress.
Challenge: apply both rules
Solve both cases and justify each choice: 1) Una propuesta responde «Toi» a este caso: «Toi habites à Marseille ?». Elige la única forma válida. 2) Una propuesta responde «parlez» a este caso: «Nous parlez le français à l'école.». Elige la única forma válida.
Answer available without interaction
- Use an explicit subject pronoun in a basic personal declarative or interrogative sentence.
- Choose the correct ending of a regular -er verb for its subject.
Answer: Tu · parlons
The subject is “tu”. “Toi” exists, but it does not go in front of the verb. With “nous” the ending is “-ons”, and this one is audible.
Curriculum alignment and sources
- CEFR A1 · elementary repertoire for concrete needs and very simple interaction. · Common European Framework of Reference for Languages: Companion Volume
- French-specific descriptions used to cross-check A1 language forms; the page selection remains editorial. · Reference Level Descriptions · French
- MCER como referencia; sin asignación estatal A1 por curso. · Real Decreto 217/2022, currículo básico de ESO
- 7.º ano alcanza A1.2 en este itinerario; A1.1 es subdivisión editorial. · Aprendizagens Essenciais · Francês · 7.º ano
- A1 al final de classe terza; A1.1/A1.2 son subdivisiones editoriales. · Decreto 9 dicembre 2025, n. 221 · nuove Indicazioni nazionali
Continue along this corridor
Practise this: Present tense of -er verbs, with its subjectGender and the article: le, la, l', un, uneTwo-part negation: ne… pas wraps around the verbAccents and the cedilla: they do not tell you where the stress fallsDu, de la, des: the article your language leaves outAu, aux, du, des: when à and de collide with the articleThe passé composé: two pieces and an auxiliary you have to choose