This exam tips covers Exam Tips & Common Errors within Present tense: -ir, -re and modal verbs for GCSE French. Revise Present tense: -ir, -re and modal verbs in The 25 Core Verbs and the Present Tense for GCSE French with 15 exam-style questions and 15 flashcards. This topic shows up very often in GCSE exams, so students should be able to explain it clearly, not just recognise the term. It is section 4 of 4 in this topic. Treat this as a marking guide for what examiners are looking for, not just a fact list.
💡 Exam Tips & Common Errors
- In writing tasks, using devoir + infinitif or pouvoir + infinitif gives you an instantly complex sentence with minimal effort — great for AO2.
- If you are unsure whether a verb is -ir or -re, look at the ils/elles form: -issent = regular -ir; -ent (with bare stem) = -re.
- Remember: répondre à (to reply to) takes the preposition à — je réponds à la question — not a direct object.
- Use je voudrais (I would like) rather than je veux (I want) in formal or polite contexts, such as a role-play in a shop or restaurant — it earns credit for register awareness.
❌ Common error: Je peux. / Elle doit. (used as a complete sentence with no infinitive)
✓ Correct: Je peux sortir. / Elle doit finir ses devoirs.
Why it costs marks: In French, modal verbs (pouvoir, vouloir, devoir, savoir) require a following infinitive to be grammatically complete and meaningful. "Je peux" on its own means nothing — it is an incomplete verb phrase. In both writing (AO3) and speaking (AO3), an incomplete modal structure is penalised for grammar. Always ask yourself: can what? want to what? must do what? Then add the infinitive.
Practice questions for Present tense: -ir, -re and modal verbs
What does 'finir' mean in English?
Which ending is correct for 'nous' with a regular -ir verb like 'finir'?