Voir and verbs in -voir: vois-, voy-, verr-
Third Group — -OIR Verbs (The Voir Model)
Many verbs in the third group end in -oir.
These verbs are almost always irregular, and each family has its own pattern.
One of the more accessible patterns is the voir model.
The Key Feature of the Voir Model
These verbs use two stems:
Singular: voi- Plural: voy-
The main change happens in plural forms:
👉 The letter y appears in the stem.
This creates a clear alternation.
Model Verb: VOIR (to see)
| Subject | Conjugation |
|---|---|
| je | vois |
| tu | vois |
| il / elle / on | voit |
| nous | voyons |
| vous | voyez |
| ils / elles | voient |
Notice:
- Singular → voi-
- Plural → voy-
CROIRE (to believe)
Here, the plural stem is croy-, not voy-.
| Subject | Conjugation |
|---|---|
| je | crois |
| tu | crois |
| il / elle / on | croit |
| nous | croyons |
| vous | croyez |
| ils / elles | croient |
Why This Pattern Is Manageable
Compared to other third-group verbs:
- The alternation is predictable
- Only two stems are used
- The pattern repeats across many verbs
Once you know voir, the rest of the family is easy.
Key Takeaways
- Most -oir verbs are irregular.
- The voir model uses two stems: voi- / voy-.
- The letter y appears in plural forms.
- Many verbs follow this same pattern.
- Croire is closely related but has a slightly different stem change.
In the app, you will find interactive exercises and quizzes tailored for this intermediate level.
Practice French conjugation for free in the Croissant Verbs app
Quizzes and spaced repetition for every tense, for free on your phone—plus short grammar guides on our Learn hub.
