Vendre & prendre families: -ends- stems and close relatives
Third Group — The -DRE Families
Verbs ending in -DRE are very common, but they are split into two main families. The first one (Vendre) is very stable, while the second one (Prendre) undergoes a radical change in the plural.
1. The VENDRE Model (Regular -DRE)
These are often called "regular" third-group verbs because their stem is very predictable.
- Particularity: The stem is stable (vend-), and the third person singular (il/elle/on) takes no ending—it simply ends with the d of the stem.
- Useful related verbs: * attendre (to wait)
- entendre (to hear)
- perdre (to lose)
- répondre (to answer)
- descendre (to go down)
| Subject | Conjugation |
|---|---|
| je | vends |
| tu | vends |
| il / elle / on | vend |
| nous | vendons |
| vous | vendez |
| ils / elles | vendent |
2. The PRENDRE Model
This is one of the most important verbs in the French language. It is more "rebellious" than the Vendre model.
- Particularity: The d drops in all plural forms, and the n doubles in the third person plural (ils prennent).
- Useful related verbs: * apprendre (to learn)
- comprendre (to understand)
- surprendre (to surprise)
- entreprendre (to undertake)
| Subject | Conjugation |
|---|---|
| je | prends |
| tu | prends |
| il / elle / on | prend |
| nous | prenons |
| vous | prenez |
| ils / elles | prennent |
Summary: How to tell them apart?
- VENDRE family: The D stays everywhere (D is for Durable).
- PRENDRE family: The D is only for the singular. In the plural, the D is gone!
Tip: Don't worry about memorizing every derivative. If you know how to conjugate prendre, you automatically know how to conjugate comprendre and apprendre!
Key Takeaways
- -DRE verbs are split into two distinct families: Vendre (stable) and Prendre (changing).
- The Vendre family keeps the -d in the stem for all subject pronouns.
- The Prendre family drops the -d in all plural forms (nous, vous, ils/elles).
- Prendre and its derivatives double the -n in the third-person plural (ils prennent).
- The 3rd person singular (il/elle/on) takes no extra ending after the stem's -d.
- Mastering the base verb allows you to conjugate all its derivatives (like comprendre or attendre).
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
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