Point de départ You’ve already seen infinitives that end in -er and -ir. The infinitive forms of some French verbs end in -re. © and ® 2007 Vista Higher Learning, Inc. 12.2-1 Many -re verbs, such as attendre (to wait), follow a regular pattern of conjugation, as shown below. © and ® 2007 Vista Higher Learning, Inc. 12.2-2 © and ® 2007 Vista Higher Learning, Inc. 12.2-3 The verb attendre means to wait or to wait for. Unlike English, it does not require a preposition. © and ® 2007 Vista Higher Learning, Inc. 12.2-4 To form the past participle of regular -re verbs, drop -re from the infinitive and add -u. © and ® 2007 Vista Higher Learning, Inc. the 12.2-5 Rendre visite à means to visit a person, while visiter means to visit a place. © and ® 2007 Vista Higher Learning, Inc. 12.2-6 Some verbs whose infinitives end in -re are irregular. © and ® 2007 Vista Higher Learning, Inc. 12.2-7 © and ® 2007 Vista Higher Learning, Inc. 12.2-8 The past participle of the verb mettre is mis. Verbs derived from mettre (permettre, promettre) follow the same pattern: permis, promis. The past participle of conduire is conduit. Verbs like it follow the same pattern: construire construit; détruire détruit; produire produit; réduire réduit; traduire traduit. The past participle of rire is ri. The past participle of sourire is souri. © and ® 2007 Vista Higher Learning, Inc. 12.2-9 Essayez! Complétez les phrases avec la forme correcte du présent du verbe. 1. Ils __________ attendent (attendre) l’arrivée du train. 2. Nous __________ (répondre) aux questions du professeur. 3. Je __________ (sourire) quand je suis heureuse. 4. Si on __________ (construire) trop, on __________ (détruire) la nature. 5. Quand il fait froid, vous __________ (mettre) un pull. 6. Est-ce que les étudiants __________ (entendre) le professeur? 7. Keiko __________ (conduire) sa voiture ce week-end. 8. Si le café n’est pas bon, je __________ (mettre) du sucre (sugar). © and ® 2007 Vista Higher Learning, Inc. 12.2-10