Guides
Explanations to go with your practice — how each verb group works, and when to use each tense.
The Most Common French Verbs You Need to Know
A practical look at why a small set of French verbs covers most of everyday speech, and how to prioritize which ones to learn first.
The French Conditional Tense (Conditionnel): When and How to Use It
Master the conditionnel présent and passé — from polite requests like je voudrais to hypotheticals and regrets — using the futur stem you already know.
How to Learn French Irregular Verbs (Without Losing Your Mind)
A strategic approach to French's ~75 irregular verbs: why they're irregular, how they cluster into families, and how to prioritize which ones to learn first.
The French Subjunctive (Subjonctif) Explained
Why French switches to the subjunctive mood after certain phrases like vouloir que or il faut que — a clear, example-driven guide for English speakers.
Passé Composé vs. Imparfait: What's the Difference
English uses one past tense for everything, but French splits it in two. Learn how to choose between passé composé and imparfait with clear examples.
How to Conjugate French -RE Verbs
Learn the third regular French verb pattern using vendre as a model, including the quirky endingless il-form, futur/conditionnel stems, and key exceptions.
How to Conjugate French -IR Verbs
Learn the -issons pattern behind finir, choisir, and réussir, and why some -ir verbs like partir and venir break the rule entirely.
How to Conjugate French -ER Verbs
Learn the -ER verb pattern that covers about 90% of French verbs, plus how it extends into other tenses and where the common spelling exceptions crop up.