Verbs like ouvrir: short plural stems (no -iss-)
-IR verbs — False -IR (The Ouvrir Model)
Not all verbs ending in -ir follow the regular finir pattern.
Some belong to the third group and behave very differently.
Among them is an important category often called: the “false -ir” verbs
Why They Are Called “False -IR”
These verbs end in -ir, but they do NOT use the -iss- pattern.
👉 They conjugate like regular -er verbs
This makes them much easier than most third-group verbs.
The Rule
For this type of verb:
Remove -ir → add the same endings as -er verbs
The endings are identical to the parler pattern:
| Subject | Ending |
|---|---|
| je | -e |
| tu | -es |
| il / elle / on | -e |
| nous | -ons |
| vous | -ez |
| ils / elles | -ent |
Model Verb: OUVRIR (to open)
| Subject | Conjugation |
|---|---|
| j’ | ouvre |
| tu | ouvres |
| il / elle / on | ouvre |
| nous | ouvrons |
| vous | ouvrez |
| ils / elles | ouvrent |
Another Example: OFFRIR (to offer)
| Subject | Conjugation |
|---|---|
| j’ | offre |
| tu | offres |
| il / elle / on | offre |
| nous | offrons |
| vous | offrez |
| ils / elles | offrent |
The Four Main Types of -IR Verbs
Overall, verbs ending in -ir fall into four categories:
- Regular second-group verbs (finir type) → use -iss-
- False -ir verbs (ouvrir type) → conjugate like -er
- Strong irregular verbs (partir, dormir)
- Highly irregular verbs with unique patterns (venir, tenir)
This explains why -ir verbs can feel confusing at first.
Key Takeaways
- Some -ir verbs don't follow the -ir pattern.
- Some -ir verbs are “false -ir” verbs.
- They conjugate like regular -er verbs.
- They do NOT use the -iss- pattern.
- Common examples include ouvrir, offrir, and cueillir.
In the app, you will find interactive exercises and quizzes tailored for this intermediate level.
Practice French conjugation for free in the Croissant Verbs app
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