How French Verb Tenses Fit Together

Learn how French verb tenses work, from the present and past to the future and conditional. Use the chart to compare each tense by time and mood.

Practice French conjugation French conjugation practice

The French tense system

Each card names a tense, with its English name below.

Past Present Future

Indicative

Plus-Que-Parfait

Past Perfect

j’avais parlé

I had spoken

Passé Simple

Simple Past

je parlai

I spoke

Imparfait

Imperfect

je parlais

I used to speak

Passé Composé

Compound Past

j’ai parlé

I spoke

Présent

Present

je parle

I speak

Conditionnel Présent

Present Conditional

je parlerais

I would speak

Conditionnel Passé

Past Conditional

j’aurais parlé

I would have spoken

Futur Simple

Simple Future

je parlerai

I will speak

Futur Antérieur

Future Perfect

j’aurai parlé

I will have spoken

Subjunctive

Subjonctif Passé

Past Subjunctive

que j’aie parlé

that I have spoken

Subjonctif Présent

Present Subjunctive

que je parle

that I speak

Imperative

Impératif

Imperative

parle !

speak!

Practice these tenses

Pick a French tense and practice it in the conjugator, or mix several together.

Practice French conjugation