French grammar - -ER verbs like aimer |
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The verb aimer ('to like' or 'to love') is what is called an -ER type verb. -- There are several groupings of French verbs that depend on the ending of the infinitive form. And that determines how they conjugate. Most -ER type verbs conjugate in the same way. They drop the -er ending and add the following endings: • For je: drop the -er and add -e so aimer ⇒ j'aime • For tu: drop the -er and add -es so aimer ⇒ tu aimes • For il & elle: a drop the -er and dd -e so aimer ⇒ il aime • For nous: drop the -er and add -ons so aimer ⇒ nous aimons • For vous: drop the -er and add -ez so aimer ⇒ vous aimez • For ils & elles: drop the -er and add -ent so aimer ⇒ ils aiment Other -ER verbs include préfèrer ('to prefer'), porter ('to carry' or 'to wear') and regarder ('to watch'). And many many other common verbs. Beware of verbs ending in -ger and -cer which conjugate slightly differently. This is covered in the next topic. Also note that just because the infinitive of a verb ends in -er does not necessarily mean it conjugates according to this pattern – there are exceptions. Recall the verb aller (to go) which conjugates very irregularly (eg. je vais). |
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J'aime seulement ce type de chocolat.
I only like this type of chocolate.
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Quelle variété de pomme aimez-vous ?
What variety of apple do you (formal) like?
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Nos enfants aiment aller au parc aquatique.
Our children like to go to the water park.
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Entre ces deux robes, elle préfère celle-là sur ce mannequin.
Between these two dresses, she prefers this one on this mannequin.
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Qu'est-ce que vous aimez à Paris ?
What do you (formal) like in (about) Paris?
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Même s'il y a beaucoup de bons gâteaux, je préfère celui-ci.
Although there are many good cakes, I prefer this one.
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Nous aimons nos vacances à la plage.
We love our holidays at the beach.
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Mais il préfère les vacances d'été à la montagne.
But he prefers summer holidays in the mountains.
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Préfèrent-ils aller à Rome cet été ?
Do they prefer to go to Rome this summer?
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Il y a beaucoup de belles voitures, mais je préfère la mienne.
There are a lot of nice cars, but I prefer mine.
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Qu'est-ce que tu portes sur la tête ?!
What is that you (familiar) are wearing on your head?!
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Qui porte la grosse valise lourde ?
Who is carrying the big heavy suitcase?
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Ils portent des manteaux chauds.
They are wearing warm coats.
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Elle n'aime pas porter de chaussures. Elle préfère porter des sandales.
She does not like to wear shoes. She prefers to wear sandals.
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N'aimez-vous pas quand il y a beaucoup de beurre dans votre nourriture ?
Don't you (formal) like when there is a lot of butter in your food?
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Qui préfère avoir du sel dans sa glace ?
Who prefers to have salt in their ice cream?
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Ce sont des hommes qui préfèrent être seuls.
They are men who prefer to be alone.
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Elle porte toujours des bottes rouges et porte un parapluie rouge.
She always wears red boots and carries a red umbrella.
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Regardez-vous un film français ce soir ?
Are you (formal) watching a French film tonight?
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Nous regardons le coucher de soleil du haut de la montagne.
We are watching the sunset from the top of the mountain.
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