Verbs than end in something else?

Question

The lesson says: (1) If the verb ends with a vowel, use -t-; (2) if the verb ends with a t or a d, don't use -t-. What if the verb ends with a consonant that is not t or d?

Cécile Janty-Davies · Accepted Answer

That's an interesting question, Jill, which got me thinking.
Some conjugated verbs can end in an -x or an -s, but I believe I can safely say that in the third person singular, verb endings are normally with a -t.

À quelle heure finit-elle ? = At what time does she finish?
Combien cela vaut-il ? = How much is this worth?

With a verb like 'pouvoir', we actually change the verb completely in the first person inversion-

Je peux faire ça pour vous  = I can do this for you 
Puis-je faire ça pour vous ? = May I do this for you?
Peut-elle venir ce soir ? = Is she able to come tonight?

We have also revised the lesson text.
Hope this helps!

Anne Davies · Answer

I suspect it isn’t specified because third person singular (il, elle, on) present tense verbs all end in a vowel, -t or -d. Can you think of any exceptions?

JIll McGowan · Answer

Ah, well then, the wording of the lesson could be changed to (1) If the verb ends with a vowel, use -t-; (2) otherwise, don't. That would then be a much simpler rule. :-)