partir / sortir / dormir
The Partir/sortir/dormir Verb Group
Verbs like partir, sortir, and dormir follow a 'short-stem' vs 'long-stem' pattern. In the singular (je/tu/il), the last consonant of the stem disappears. In the plural (nous/vous/ils), it returns.
How It Works
This group is often called the 'reduced-stem' group. To conjugate them, follow these steps:
1. Identify the stem: Remove the -ir from the infinitive (e.g., part-, sort-, dorm-).
2. Singular Forms (je, tu, il/elle/on): Drop the final consonant of that stem and add the endings -s, -s, -t.
- Je pars (The 't' is dropped)
- Tu dors (The 'm' is dropped)
3. Plural Forms (nous, vous, ils/elles): Keep the full stem and add the standard endings -ons, -ez, -ent.
- Nous partons (The 't' returns)
- Ils dorment (The 'm' returns)
Common Verbs in this Group:
- Partir (to leave)
- Sortir (to go out)
- Dormir (to sleep)
- Sentir (to feel/smell)
- Mentir (to lie)
- Servir (to serve)
Examples (5)
- Je pars à huit heures pour le travail.
I am leaving at eight o'clock for work.
Word by Word: I leave at eight hours for the work.
The stem of 'partir' is 'part-'. In the 'je' form, the 't' is dropped, leaving 'par' + 's'.
- Est-ce que vous dormez bien avec ce bruit ?
Are you sleeping well with this noise?
Word by Word: Is it that you sleep well with this noise?
In the 'vous' form, the full stem 'dorm-' is used before adding the '-ez' ending.
- Ils sortent souvent le samedi soir.
They go out often on Saturday nights.
Word by Word: They go out often the Saturday evening.
The 'ils' form uses the full stem 'sort-' followed by the '-ent' ending.
- Elle ne ment jamais à ses parents.
She never lies to her parents.
Word by Word: She not lies never to her parents.
For 'mentir', the stem is 'ment-'. The 't' is dropped in the singular 'elle' form, and '-t' is added as the ending.
- Nous servons le dîner maintenant.
We are serving dinner now.
Word by Word: We serve the dinner now.
The verb 'servir' keeps its 'v' in the plural 'nous' form.
Common Mistakes
Using the 'finir' pattern (-iss-) for these verbs.
Nous partissons demain.Nous partons demain.Learners often confuse this group with regular -ir verbs. Verbs like partir do NOT use '-iss-' in the plural.
Keeping the stem consonant in the singular forms.
Je parts maintenant.Je pars maintenant.In writing, you must drop the final consonant of the stem (the 't' in partir) before adding the '-s' ending for 'je' and 'tu'.
Using 'partir' as a transitive verb (like 'leave' in English).
Je pars la maison.Je pars de la maison.Partir is intransitive. You must use 'de' to say where you are leaving from, or use the verb 'quitter' instead.
How It Connects
Learn This First
To learn the partir/sortir/dormir verb group, you first need to be familiar with French subject pronouns and the basic structure of a sentence. It is also helpful to understand how regular -ir verbs are conjugated to recognize how this specific group differs by dropping the final consonant of the root in the singular forms.
Related Patterns
- offrir / ouvrirThe Offrir/ouvrir Verb Group
Another sub-group of -ir verbs that conjugate like -er verbs instead of using the partir or finir patterns.
Level 1 - venirIrregular Verb Venir (To Come)
Venir also ends in -ir but has a more complex stem change (je viens vs nous venons).
Level 1 - être + Past ParticipleCompound Past with Etre
Many verbs in the partir/sortir group (like partir and sortir) use 'être' as their auxiliary in the past tense.
Level 2
Learn Next
Patterns that build on this one.
Words in This Pattern
Practice partir / sortir / dormir in Bubblegum
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