Grammar
The “to be” verb? No, this is not Shakespeare, but être is every bit the existential question it seems to be. Universally the first verb you learn in any language, “I am…” opens up the world of expression. This verb is so important that you are fated to be a conversation wallflower without it.
Since this is the first verb we are learning, there are a few things to know before we jump in. Just like in English, French uses infinitives as the base form of their verbs. Être is the infinitive of the verb to be.
When we conjugate each verb, French has a nifty formula for each pronoun. While these formulas differ somewhat, most follow a pattern. Être is an irregular verb, so its formula is unique to other verbs, which is not so bad given you will be using it all the time.
Remember each pronoun? Let’s have a mini-recap:
Je – I Nous – we
Te – you Vous – you (formal)
Il/elle – he/she Ils/elles – they
When we encounter French verb charts, they will follow this exact pattern, so each verb will have six conjugations.
Since we are just starting, we will stick with the utmost basics of the present, past, and future tenses. There will be further instruction in the days ahead, so view this as a friendly taste of what is to come. Memorizing the tenses for this verb is what we are really after today.
Être: Le Présent (Present Tense)
Listen to Track 50
Je suis |
| Nous sommes |
Tu es |
| Vous êtes |
Il/elle est |
| Ils/elles sont |
Passé Composé: A Brief Overview of the Present Perfect Tense
The most common past tense form, the present perfect tense is used to:
Denote an action completed in the past.
Hier, j’ai vu mes sœurs.
Yesterday, I saw my sisters.
Remember, this action must be completed. A good indicator of whether or not to use the passé composé is to ask yourself when it happened. If it was yesterday, today, Monday, last week, or last year (a specified time), then it is passé composé. If it was when you were little, every Saturday, or any other term indicating habitual activity, then you will use imparfait.
Être: Le Passé Composé (Present Perfect Tense)
Listen to Track 51
J’ai été | Nous avons été |
Tu as été | Vous avez été |
Il/elle a été | Ils/elles ont été |
Imparfait: A Brief Overview of the Imperfect Tense
For our current objectives, the imperfect tense is used to:
● Indicate habitual actions in the past.
Quand J’étais petite, j’allais au cinéma avec ma famille.
When I was little, I would go to the movie theater with my family.
● Express time, weather, age, and feelings.
J’étais heureux qu’il faisait beau.
I was happy that the weather was nice.
Être: Imparfait (Imperfect Tense)
Listen to Track 52
J’étais | Nous étions |
Tu étais | Vous étiez |
Il/elle était | Ils/elles étaient |
Le Futur: A Brief Overview of the Future Tense
Fairly straightforward, the future tense in French indicates:
● An action that will happen in the future.
Je serai triste de partir.
I will be sad to leave.
● If/then statements.
Si j’ai le temps, je mangerai quelque chose.
If I have the time, I will eat something.
Etre: Le Futur (Future Tense)
Listen to Track 53
Je serai | Nous serons |
Tu seras | Vous serez |
Il/elle sera | Ils/elles seront |
Note: We just learned liaison, and this verb puts it to good use. Remember that “Je suis américain” will be pronounced just like “Je suis-zah-méricain.”