Get your offer

French Second-Group Verbs: What Defines Them?

Learning & Grammar

How to Recognize Verbs of Group 2 in French: Rules and Endings | Verbs are the most important element of a language: they are the key to expressing every single different concept, and they are so fundamental that a verb alone can represent an entire sentence. If I say "I run," in fact, I'm already expressing what I mean: a simple word is enough, incredible but true.
 

This, of course, also applies to the French language.

After tackling the first group, today in this Sprachcaffe lesson we'll discover and analyze the verbs of the second group in French : what are they? And how can we distinguish them from the others?

Discover all the characteristics of these verbs: at the end, we'll also provide you with a list of the most common and used verbs from group 2 in French, so you can memorize the ones you need most initially. We'll also provide a list of examples so you can see them in context. This will greatly help you better understand them and memorize them more easily.

Second-group French Verbs: What are they?

Second-group French verbs are the regular verbs ending in -ir that add -iss- in the plural, such as finir (to finish) and choisir (to choose). This group is small but wonderfully predictable: every verb in it follows the same pattern, so once you learn finir, you can conjugate the rest. In this guide, SPRACHCAFFE explains what defines second-group verbs, how the -iss- test tells them apart from irregular -ir verbs, and gives you a conjugation table, a verb list, examples, and an exercise with answers.

What are second-group verbs in French?

French divides verbs into three groups:

  • First group: regular verbs ending in -er (parler).
  • Second group: regular verbs ending in -ir that take the -iss- stem (finir → nous finissons).
  • Third group: all irregular verbs, including irregular -ir verbs (partir, dormir), plus -re and -oir verbs.

The defining feature of the second group is the -iss- stem in the plural and in the present participle. Finir gives nous finissons and the participle finissant. This is the reliable test that separates them from third-group -ir verbs like partir (nous partons, partant) and dormir (nous dormons, dormant), which do not take -iss-.

How to conjugate second-group verbs (present tense)

Drop the -ir ending, then add -is, -is, -it, -issons, -issez, -issent. Here is finir (to finish) in the present indicative:

Personfinir
Jefinis
Tufinis
Il / Elle / Onfinit
Nousfinissons
Vousfinissez
Ils / Ellesfinissent

The -iss- appears in the three plural forms. Every regular second-group verb, such as choisir, réfléchir, and grandir, follows this exact pattern.

Common second-group French verbs

FrenchEnglish
finirto finish
choisirto choose
grossirto gain weight
maigrirto lose weight
réfléchirto reflect, to think
punirto punish
réussirto succeed
rougirto blush
bâtirto build
remplirto fill
réunirto gather
grandirto grow
obéirto obey
jaunirto turn yellow
établirto establish
fournirto provide
investirto invest
réagirto react
éblouirto dazzle
applaudirto applaud
asservirto subjugate
atterrirto land
resplendirto shine
saisirto grasp
vomirto vomit
mûrirto ripen
ravirto delight

Second-group verbs in sentences

  1. Elle choisit une robe pour les occasions spéciales. → She chooses a dress for special occasions. (choisir)
  2. Les enfants réfléchissent avant de répondre. → The children think before answering. (réfléchir)
  3. Le public applaudit à la fin du spectacle. → The audience applauds at the end of the show. (applaudir)
  4. Le ciel s'assombrit quand l'orage approche. → The sky darkens as the storm approaches. (s'assombrir)
  5. Les passagers applaudissent quand l'avion atterrit. → The passengers applaud when the plane lands. (applaudir, atterrir)
  6. Il réussit toujours à remplir les conditions. → He always succeeds in meeting the requirements. (réussir, remplir)
  7. Le joueur saisit le ballon avant qu'il ne touche le sol. → The player grabs the ball before it hits the ground. (saisir)
  8. Elle grandit vite depuis qu'elle fait du sport. → She has been growing fast since she started playing sports. (grandir)
  9. Les fruits mûrissent sous le chaud soleil d'été. → The fruits ripen under the hot summer sun. (mûrir)
  10. Le chef finit de préparer un délicieux repas. → The chef finishes preparing a delicious meal. (finir)

Exercise: practise second-group verbs

Conjugate the -ir verb in brackets in the present tense.

  1. Je _______ (finir) mes devoirs.
  2. Tu _______ (choisir) un dessert.
  3. Elle _______ (réfléchir) à la question.
  4. Nous _______ (réussir) l'examen.
  5. Vous _______ (remplir) le formulaire.
  6. Ils _______ (applaudir) l'artiste.

Answer key

  1. finis 2. choisis 3. réfléchit 4. réussissons 5. remplissez 6. applaudissent
Back

Related news

Learning & Grammar

03/18/2026
Third-Group French Verbs: Rules & Guide
Here's how to conjugate verbs from the third group in French | Verbs in French are one of the most important macro-topics.
Learning & Grammar

03/17/2026
First-Group French Verbs: The Regular -ER Verbs
Examples and explanations of first-group verbs in French | Verbs are one of the most important topics to study when learning a new language: we use them to express all kinds of concepts, and they are so fundamental that a basic sentence can be composed of just one verb.
Learning & Grammar

01/15/2026
French Future Tense Made Simple
Explanation and Application of the Future Tense in French | I'm going to France, taking a study holiday with Sprachcaffe, and I'm going to have a blast. How can I translate all this? Of course, with the future tense in French: that's the topic of this lesson!  
Learning & Grammar

12/29/2025
French Gerund (Gérondif)
Everything you need to know about the French Gerund: conjugation, usage, and examples | The gerund in French is our way of expressing continuity.
Languages & Culture

12/17/2025
Common French Idioms and Expressions
Do you already speak some French and would like to impress native speakers with your skills? Here you'll find a list of new vocabulary, French idioms, and colloquial expressions.
Learning & Grammar

12/10/2025
French Stressed vs. Unstressed Pronouns
What is the difference between stressed and unstressed pronouns in French? | French grammar is one of the most complex, but in some ways it's very similar to English. One topic we have in common, for example, are tonic pronouns in French: but what are they?
Learning & Grammar

12/02/2025
French Prepositions: Simple and Complex Form
Translation, usage, and explanation of simple and complex prepositions in French | Understanding simple and complex French prepositions is essential for building clear, meaningful sentences. When learning a new language like French, many learners begin by memorizing basic vocabulary and common verbs. While this is helpful, it isn’t enough to express complete thoughts. To connect ideas, show relationships between words, and structure your sentences correctly, you must also master French prepositions.
Languages & Culture

11/25/2025
Top 6 French Books to Inspire Your Next Read
Want to improve your French without getting bored? Want to learn and have fun at the same time? We have the solution! Reading is a great way to learn French! That's why we're presenting six French books here that you can read to improve your French. Each of these French books will help you learn the language. Whether you're a beginner, intermediate, or advanced learner, you'll find what you're looking for!
Languages & Culture

11/11/2025
Discover the Most Beautiful Words in French!
Do you have a soft spot for the beautiful French language? If you want to visit France or experience the land of fashion and croissants, learning basic French words will help you get around. We've created a list of the most beautiful French words, everyday French words, and other popular categories. It's definitely fun to add some variety to your everyday language. Voilà, your sentences will become wonderful with the following words!
Languages & Culture

11/11/2025
French Pronunciation: Essential Rules for Beginners
Good French pronunciation is what lets you both understand native speakers and be understood, and in French it often comes down to small details, since many words sound alike and the pronunciation of a sound can change depending on the sounds around it. The good news is that French follows fairly consistent rules. Learn the handful below, practise them with the example words, and your accent will improve quickly.
Languages & Culture

10/16/2025
French Numbers from 1 to 100 and Beyond
One of the biggest challenges when learning French is counting in French. When learning a new language, counting is usually one of the first things you should master. Learning numbers in a foreign language is especially important because numbers appear in many everyday situations. From stating your age to engaging in dialogue in shops or restaurants, you should master numbers in French as quickly as possible.
Get the latest on travel, languages and culture