Nous is the first-person plural pronoun. It is standard in writing and is also used in speech; in casual speech, on is often more common. With reflexive verbs, add nous before the verb (nous nous lavons).
Usage
Use nous mainly in:
- Formal situations
- Written French
- Professional contexts
- Academic settings
- Public speaking
- When emphasis on the group is important
Regular Conjugations
| Tense | -er | -ir (finir type) | -re |
|---|---|---|---|
| Présent | -ons | -issons | -ons |
| Imparfait | -ions | -issions | -ions |
| Passé Composé | avons + -é | avons + -i | avons + -u |
| Futur Simple | -erons | -irons | -rons |
| Conditionnel Présent | -erions | -irions | -rions |
| Plus-que-parfait | avions + -é | avions + -i | avions + -u |
| Futur Antérieur | aurons + -é | aurons + -i | aurons + -u |
| Conditionnel Passé | aurions + -é | aurions + -i | aurions + -u |
| Subjonctif Présent | -ions | -issions | -ions |
| Subjonctif Passé | ayons + -é | ayons + -i | ayons + -u |
| Impératif | -ons | -issons | -ons |