1. Topic Introduction
French verbs are divided into groups according to their endings and conjugation patterns. After first group verbs in -er, the next important group is the second group verbs.
Thank you for reading this post, don't forget to subscribe!A true second group verb has two characteristics:
| Condition | Explanation |
|---|---|
| infinitive ends in -ir | the verb finishes with -ir |
| present participle ends in -issant | it forms nous finissons → finissant |
This second condition is extremely important because not every verb ending in -ir belongs to the second group.
Example:
- finir = second group
- choisir = second group
- réussir = second group
But:
- partir = not second group
- venir = not second group
Those belong to irregular third group verbs, studied later.
Second group verbs are regular, but they have one special pattern: an extra iss appears in plural forms.
2. How to Identify a Second Group Verb
2.1 Infinitive Rule
Second group verbs end in -ir.
Examples
| Verb | Meaning | Pronunciation |
|---|---|---|
| finir | to finish | fee-neer |
| choisir | to choose | shwa-zeer |
| réussir | to succeed | ray-u-seer |
| grandir | to grow | grahn-deer |
2.2 Present Participle Test
To confirm second group:
Take nous form and check if it produces -issant.
| Verb | Nous Form | Present Participle |
|---|---|---|
| finir | nous finissons | finissant |
| choisir | nous choisissons | choisissant |
If -issant appears, it is true second group.
3. Stem Formation
Rule
Remove -ir to get the stem.
Example with finir
| Verb | Remove Ending | Stem |
|---|---|---|
| finir | -ir | fin |
4. Present Tense Endings for Second Group Verbs
Standard Endings
| Subject Pronoun | Ending |
|---|---|
| je | -is |
| tu | -is |
| il / elle / on | -it |
| nous | -issons |
| vous | -issez |
| ils / elles | -issent |
Important:
Plural forms add iss before endings.
5. Full Conjugation of finir
Stem = fin
| Subject Pronoun | Verb Form | Pronunciation | Meaning |
|---|---|---|---|
| je | finis | fee-nee | I finish |
| tu | finis | fee-nee | you finish |
| il / elle / on | finit | fee-nee | he / she finishes |
| nous | finissons | fee-nee-son | we finish |
| vous | finissez | fee-nee-say | you finish |
| ils / elles | finissent | fee-nees | they finish |
6. Writing and Pronunciation Comparison
| Form | Written Ending | Spoken Sound |
|---|---|---|
| je finis | -is | fee-nee |
| tu finis | -is | fee-nee |
| il finit | -it | fee-nee |
Again, singular forms sound similar.
Plural forms clearly show extra sound:
- finissons
- finissez
- finissent
7. Comparison: First Group vs Second Group
| Subject | parler | finir |
|---|---|---|
| je | parle | finis |
| tu | parles | finis |
| il | parle | finit |
| nous | parlons | finissons |
| vous | parlez | finissez |
| ils | parlent | finissent |
Important difference:
Second group introduces iss in plural.
8. Full Example with choisir
Stem = chois
| Subject Pronoun | Verb Form | Pronunciation | Meaning |
|---|---|---|---|
| je | choisis | shwa-zee | I choose |
| tu | choisis | shwa-zee | you choose |
| il / elle | choisit | shwa-zee | he / she chooses |
| nous | choisissons | shwa-zee-son | we choose |
| vous | choisissez | shwa-zee-say | you choose |
| ils / elles | choisissent | shwa-zees | they choose |
9. Full Example with réussir
Stem = réuss
| Subject Pronoun | Verb Form | Pronunciation | Meaning |
|---|---|---|---|
| je | réussis | ray-u-see | I succeed |
| tu | réussis | ray-u-see | you succeed |
| il / elle | réussit | ray-u-see | he / she succeeds |
| nous | réussissons | ray-u-see-son | we succeed |
| vous | réussissez | ray-u-see-say | you succeed |
| ils / elles | réussissent | ray-u-sees | they succeed |
10. Sentence Building with Second Group Verbs
Formula
Subject + Verb + Complement
Examples
| French Sentence | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Je finis le travail. | I finish the work. |
| Tu choisis un livre. | You choose a book. |
| Elle réussit bien. | She succeeds well. |
| Nous finissons la leçon. | We finish the lesson. |
| Vous choisissez une table. | You choose a table. |
| Ils réussissent ensemble. | They succeed together. |
11. Common Second Group Verbs Comparison Table
| Infinitive | Meaning | Stem | Pronunciation |
|---|---|---|---|
| finir | to finish | fin | fee-neer |
| choisir | to choose | chois | shwa-zeer |
| réussir | to succeed | réuss | ray-u-seer |
| grandir | to grow | grand | grahn-deer |
| grossir | to gain weight / grow | gross | gro-seer |
| obéir | to obey | obé | oh-bay-eer |
12. Vocabulary
| French Word | Gender | Meaning | Pronunciation |
|---|---|---|---|
| le travail | masculine | work | luh tra-vai |
| le livre | masculine | book | luh leevr |
| la leçon | feminine | lesson | lah luh-son |
| la table | feminine | table | lah tabl |
| le choix | masculine | choice | luh shwa |
| la réussite | feminine | success | lah ray-u-seet |
| le repas | masculine | meal | luh ruh-pah |
| la classe | feminine | class | lah klas |
| le projet | masculine | project | luh პრო-zhay |
| la décision | feminine | decision | lah day-see-zyon |
13. Mini Paragraph (Memorize)
Je finis le travail. Tu choisis un livre. Elle réussit dans la classe. Nous finissons la leçon ensemble. Vous choisissez une table. Ils grandissent vite.
Meaning:
I finish the work. You choose a book. She succeeds in class. We finish the lesson together. You choose a table. They grow quickly.
14. Memory Practice
| French Sentence | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Je réussis aujourd’hui. | I succeed today. |
| Tu finis le repas. | You finish the meal. |
| Il choisit une réponse. | He chooses an answer. |
| Nous obéissons aux règles. | We obey the rules. |
| Vous grandissez vite. | You grow quickly. |
| Elles finissent tard. | They finish late. |
Summary Notes
| Concept | Key Rule |
|---|---|
| Second group verbs | true verbs end in -ir and form -issant |
| Stem formation | remove -ir |
| Present endings | -is, -is, -it, -issons, -issez, -issent |
| Key feature | plural forms add iss |
| Pronunciation | singular forms often sound alike |
| Difference from first group | second group has iss pattern |
| Importance | many regular verbs follow this exact model |
This pattern must become automatic before moving to irregular third group verbs, because third group is understood better only after first and second groups are solid.