Smarter learning starts now!
Save 30% on annual Premium »

Conjugate regular -dre verbs in the present tense in French (Le Présent)

Written by Qualified French Expert Aurélie Drouard HKH, Licence d'anglais LLCE
Last updated: 2023-09-25
8 questions

Have a look at how regular verbs ending in -dre conjugate in Le Présent (Indicatif).

Learn how to conjugate VENDRE (to sell) and MORDRE (to bite) in Le Présent (Indicatif) in French

  new ending vendre (to sell) mordre (to bite)
Je  -s Je vends Je mords
Tu  -s Tu vends Tu mords
Il/elle/on  - Il/elle/on vend Il/elle/on mord
Nous  -ons Nous vendons Nous mordons
Vous  -ez Vous vendez Vous mordez
Ils/elles  -ent Ils/elles vendent Ils/elles mordent

To conjugate -dre verbs in Le Présent (Indicatif), remember to :

- Remove the -re ending to the infinitive form

- Add the correct endings

Listen to these -dre verbs :

Je vends ma vieille console.I'm selling my old console.

Tu vends des DVDs.You sell DVDs.

Il vend sa voiture.He's selling his car.

Est-ce que vous vendez des adaptateurs internationaux ?Do you sell international adapters?

Nous vendons un peu de tout.We sell a bit of everything.

Elles vendent leurs légumes sur le marché.They sell their vegetables on the market.

Pronunciation guide

Note the three singular forms endings (-ds / -ds / -d) are silent.
Therefore, all three forms of a same verb are pronounced the same.  

Note also that the -ent ending for ils/elles is also silent. However, you will pronounce the [d] at the end.

-> Here are more examples for you to hear the difference:  

Je réponds au téléphone.I answer the phone.

Tu entends cette musique?Do you hear that music?

Il descend au sous-sol.He's going down to the basement.

Nous le rendons.We're giving it back.

Vous attendez le docteur ?Are you waiting for the doctor?

Mes chiens ne mordent jamais.My dogs never bite.

Grammar jargon

The infinitive of the verb is the unconjugated verb - jouer (to play) - as opposed to a conjugated form - je joue (I play)

The stem of the infinitive is the part before the -er, -ir, or -re ending.

 

ATTENTION: 

Here is a list of the main irregular -dre verbs that don't follow this pattern:

- prendre     Conjugate prendre and derivatives in the present tense in French (Le Présent)

- coudre     Conjugate coudre in the present tense in French (Le Présent)

- peindre / craindre / joindre   Conjugate verbs in -aindre/-eindre/-oindre in the present tense in French (Le Présent)

 

Want to make sure your French sounds confident? We’ll map your knowledge and give you free lessons to focus on your gaps and mistakes. Start your Brainmap today »

Learn more about these related French grammar topics

Examples and resources

Ton tonton tond ton thon.Your uncle is shearing your tuna.
J'attends le train.

I'm waiting for the train.
Est-ce que vous vendez des adaptateurs internationaux ?Do you sell international adapters?
Nous le rendons.We're giving it back.
Je vends ma vieille console.I'm selling my old console.
Tu vends des DVDs.You sell DVDs.
Il vend sa voiture.He's selling his car.
Nous vendons un peu de tout.We sell a bit of everything.
Elles vendent leurs légumes sur le marché.They sell their vegetables on the market.
Je réponds au téléphone.I answer the phone.
Tu entends cette musique?Do you hear that music?
Il descend au sous-sol.He's going down to the basement.
Vous attendez le docteur ?Are you waiting for the doctor?
Mes chiens ne mordent jamais.My dogs never bite.
Getting that for you now...