offrir / ouvrir
The Offrir/ouvrir Verb Group
The offrir/ouvrir group consists of verbs like offrir (to offer) and ouvrir (to open). Even though they end in -ir, they are conjugated exactly like regular -er verbs in the present tense.
How It Works
This group includes high-frequency verbs such as offrir (to offer/give), ouvrir (to open), couvrir (to cover), souffrir (to suffer), and découvrir (to discover).
1. Present Tense Conjugation
To conjugate them, take the stem (the infinitive minus -ir) and add the -er verb endings:
- Je couvr-e
- Tu couvr-es
- Il/Elle/On couvr-e
- Nous couvr-ons
- Vous couvr-ez
- Ils/Elles couvr-ent
2. The Imperative Mood
Just like regular -er verbs, the tu form of the imperative drops the final 's'. For example: Ouvre la porte ! (Open the door!) instead of Ouvres.
Note: The 's' returns if the verb is followed by the pronouns y or en to avoid a vowel clash. For example: Offres-en à tes amis. (Offer some to your friends.)
3. Past Participle
While the present tense is predictable, their past participles are irregular and usually end in -ert (e.g., offert, ouvert, découvert). These are used in the passé composé.
Examples (6)
- J'offre un cadeau à ma mère.
I am giving a gift to my mother.
Word by Word: I offer a gift to my mother.
The verb 'offrir' takes the '-e' ending for the 'je' form, just like an -er verb.
- Est-ce que tu ouvres la fenêtre ?
Are you opening the window?
Word by Word: Is it that you open the window?
The 'tu' form uses the '-es' ending.
- Nous découvrons une nouvelle ville.
We are discovering a new city.
Word by Word: We discover a new city.
Note the absence of '-iss-'. It is 'découvrons', not 'découvrissons'.
- Ils souffrent beaucoup du froid.
They are suffering a lot from the cold.
Word by Word: They suffer a lot from the cold.
The third-person plural 'ils' uses the '-ent' ending.
- Ouvre ton livre à la page dix.
Open your book to page ten.
Word by Word: Open your book at the page ten.
In the imperative (command) form, the 'tu' form 'ouvre' does not have an 's'.
- Offres-en à tes amis.
Offer some to your friends.
Word by Word: Offer-of-them to your friends.
The 's' returns in the imperative when followed by 'en' to make the pronunciation smoother.
Common Mistakes
Using the -iss- plural infix like regular -ir verbs.
Nous offrissons des fleurs.Nous offrons des fleurs.Learners often confuse this group with regular -ir verbs like 'finir'. This group never uses '-iss-'.
Using -s, -s, -t endings in the singular forms.
Il ouvrt la porte.Il ouvre la porte.Unlike the 'partir/sortir' group, these verbs strictly follow the -er pattern (-e, -es, -e) in the singular.
Incorrect past participle formation.
J'ai ouvri la boîte.J'ai ouvert la boîte.The past participle for this group is irregular and ends in -ert, not -i.
How It Connects
Learn This First
To understand the offrir/ouvrir group, you must first be familiar with regular -er verb endings, as these verbs borrow those endings despite having an -ir infinitive. You also need a basic grasp of regular -ir verbs to recognize the contrast, and knowledge of subject pronouns to perform the conjugation.
Related Patterns
- Regular -er verb conjugation
This group uses the exact same present tense endings as regular -er verbs.
Level 1 - partir / sortir / dormirThe Partir/sortir/dormir Verb Group
Another group of irregular -ir verbs, but they use -s, -s, -t endings instead of the -er endings.
Level 1 - Giving commands
The 'tu' command form follows the -er verb rule of dropping the final 's'.
Level 1 - Linking a silent consonant to the next vowel
Mandatory liaisons occur in the plural forms (e.g., 'nous offrons' sounds like 'nou-zoffrons').
Level 1 - Irregular past participle forms
The past participles of this group (offert, ouvert) are important irregular forms to learn.
Level 2
Words in This Pattern
Practice offrir / ouvrir in Bubblegum
Poppy, your AI tutor, writes French lessons at your level. Tap any grammar point in a lesson to see its full explanation.
