Salut chers amis (Hello dear friends)!
It is another beautiful moment to learn some French grammar on Ma Petite FranFrance. I believe this platform has been of great help to you. Welcome again to French grammar for beginners on Ma Petite France.
Today we shall be learning how to conjugate and use the verb "être" in present tense.
"Être" stands for the verb "To be" in English, is one of the most often used verbs in French language. So, it will do you good to know how this verb is used in French .
I believe you've been able to master and memorize the subject pronouns we treated in our previous class as we will be using them with the verb "être". Cool ! Let's quickly see how this verb is conjugated in present tense.
Je suis = I am
Tu es = You are
Il/Elle est = He/she is
Nous sommes = We are
Vous êtes = You are
Ils/elles sont = They are
The verb "être" can be used in various ways. We would just show you a few but important ways in which the verb "être" can be used.
1. To say one's name
Examples :
Je suis Paul = I am Paul
Vous êtes Sarah = You are Sarah
2. To talk about one's state of being or status.
Examples:
Ils sont heureux = They are happy.
Elle est triste = She is sad.
Nous sommes mariés = We are married.
3. To say one's profession.
Examples :
Il est avocat = He is a lawyer.
Elle est journaliste = She is a journalist.
Vous êtes ingénieur = you are an engineer.
Kindly note here that the indefinite article "a/an" is not used in French when talking of one's profession. We don't say "Il est un médecin" but simply "Il est médecin" To mean "He is a doctor". We hope this is not confusing in anyway at all. Take your time and read through the explanation again. Pause and ponder on it... Cool. Understood now ? Let's proceed.
4. To describe someone using some qualitative adjectives
Examples:
Il est beau = He is handsome.
Elle est gentille = She is kind.
Nous sommes jeunes = We are young.
Je suis grand = I am tall.
Vous êtes intelligent = You are intelligent.
We are ending our class here today. Till we meet again, don't quit learning.
