Verbs ending in -ir or -re in the passé simple in French

Read more about how to use Verbs ending in -ir or -re in the passé simple in French.
Feel the need to learn new grammar tips fast? Learn French online and test your grammar knowledge with Frantastique for free.

TEST YOUR FRENCH Free trial and no commitment to buy
4,6 on App Store, Play Store and Trustpilot
More than 7 million learners worldwide

Verbs ending in -ir or -re in the passé simple

Reminder: the passé simple is almost exclusively used in formal and literary French for describing specific or completed past actions.
In the passé simple verbs ending in -IR (finir to finish, sortir to go out, etc.) and most verbs ending in -RE (prendre to take, faire to do/to make, dire to say) are conjugated as follows: -is, -is, -it, -îmes, -îtes, -irent.

finir en
Je finis
Tu finis
Il finit/elle finit
Nous finîmes
Vous finîtes
Ils finirent/elles finirent
prendre en
Je pris
Tu pris
Il prit/elle prit
Nous prîmes
Vous prîtes
Ils prirent/elles prirent
faire en
Je fis
Tu fis
Il fit/elle fit
Nous fîmes
Vous fîtes
Ils firent/elles firent
Ils finirent de travailler à 3 heures du matin. They finished working at 3am.
Note: Some verbs ending in -IR or -RE are irregular. These are the most common ones:

courir en
Je courus
Tu courus
Il courut/elle courut
Nous courûmes
Vous courûtes
Ils coururent/elles coururent
venir en
Je vins
Tu vins
Il vint/elle vint
Nous vînmes
Vous vîntes
Ils vinrent/elles vinrent
boire en
Je bus
Tu bus
Il but/elle but
Nous bûmes
Vous bûtes
Ils burent/elles burent
Marcel courut pour attraper le bus. Marcel ran to catch the bus.

Still having trouble with 'Verbs ending in -ir or -re in the passé simple'? Master the rules of French grammar and improve your French level thanks to our online French lessons Frantastique. We're offering a 7-day free trial, so what are you waiting for?



What our users say:

Pleasure

         

I enjoy doing my online French lessons. Only ten minutes daily are enough...Thank you!

Innovative

         

I love your innovative method which allows me to learn a new language and have fun at the same time!

Unique

         

Your method is unique! Your courses have helped me to progress and gain confidence during my travels.

Progress

         

Gymglish has allowed me to improve my French. A daily routine I wouldn't miss for anything in the world!

More testimonials.


Looking to improve French for beginners? Frantastique provides effective and fun training!

Tips for learning 'Verbs ending in -ir or -re in the passé simple'? Share them with us!

TEST YOUR FRENCH