Partir, sortir, dormir – present tense
Je pars, tu sors, il dort
A group of common -ir verbs doesn't add -iss- like finir. Instead, they drop the last consonant of the stem in the singular.
Conjugation
| partir | sortir | dormir | |
|---|---|---|---|
| je | pars | sors | dors |
| tu | pars | sors | dors |
| il / elle | part | sort | dort |
| nous | partons | sortons | dormons |
| vous | partez | sortez | dormez |
| ils / elles | partent | sortent | dorment |
In the singular the stem loses its consonant (par-, sor-, dor-); in the plural it comes back (part-, sort-, dorm-). That's how you hear il part (par) vs ils partent (part).
- Je pars en vacances demain.I'm going on holiday tomorrow.
- Tu sors ce soir ?Are you going out tonight?
- Le bébé dort.The baby is sleeping.
- Nous partons à huit heures.We're leaving at eight.
Same pattern
- sentir (to feel, smell): je sens, nous sentons
- servir (to serve): je sers, nous servons
- mentir (to lie): je mens, nous mentons
- ressentir, repartir, ressortir, s'endormir
- Ça sent bon !That smells good!
Passé composé
Partir and sortir use être: je suis parti(e), elle est sortie. Dormir, sentir, servir, mentir use avoir: j'ai dormi.
For the difference between partir, sortir, quitter and laisser, see Partir, sortir, quitter, laisser.
Practice
- Je _____ en vacances demain. (partir)
Show the answer
pars
- Tu _____ ce soir ? (sortir)
Show the answer
sors
- Le bébé _____. (dormir)
Show the answer
dort
- Nous _____ à 8 heures. (partir)
Show the answer
partons
In the app, this lesson is taught one idea at a time with the examples read aloud, followed by questions that explain the rule when you get one wrong. It then comes back for review on later days until you've mastered it.