All verbs

/ʃɑ̃ʒe/to changeA2

Family
Group 1 — regular `-er`
Takes
a direct object · no object · de — de + noun for switching to another one; a direct object for altering or exchanging

Build map — what to memorise

These three pieces are learnt; every other tense is built from them.

The nous form
changeons
Presentprésentfollows the rule

Singular — the short stem

chang-+-e -es -e

Presentprésentfollows the rule

Plural — the nous stem

change-+-ons -ez -ent

Imperfectimparfaitfollows the rule

change-+-ais -ais -ait -ions -iez -aient

Present participleparticipe-présentfollows the rule

change-+-ant

Subjunctivesubjonctif-présentfollows the rule

Built on ils; nous and vous are the imparfait forms

chang-+-e -es -e -ent

Infinitive
changer
Simple futurefutur-simplefollows the rule

changer-+-ai -as -a -ons -ez -ont

Conditionalconditionnel-présentfollows the rule

Futur stem + imparfait endings

changer-+-ais -ais -ait -ions -iez -aient

Near futurefutur-prochefollows the rule

aller + infinitive

changer

Past participle
changé

Takes avoir

Passé composépassé-composéfollows the rule

avoir (present) + past participle

changé

Pluperfectplus-que-parfaitfollows the rule

Auxiliary in the imparfait + past participle

changé

Conjugation

présent
Ije change/ʒə ʃɑ̃ʒ/I change
youtu changes/ty ʃɑ̃ʒ/you change
he/sheil change/il ʃɑ̃ʒ/he changes
wenous changeons/nu ʃɑ̃ʒɔ̃/we change
youvous changez/vu ʃɑ̃ʒe/you change
theyils changent/il ʃɑ̃ʒ/they change

Examples

  • J'ai changé d'avis.

    /ʒe ʃɑ̃.ʒe da.vi/

    I've changed my mind.

  • Je dois changer de train.

    /ʒə dwa ʃɑ̃.ʒe də tʁɛ̃/

    I have to change trains.

  • Tout a changé.

    /tu.t‿a ʃɑ̃.ʒe/

    Everything has changed.

Set phrases

  • changer d'avis

    to change one's mind

  • changer de train

    to change trains

Notes

  • changer de with no article means swapping one for another: changer de train, changer d'avis, changer de voiture. Note the singular — changer de train even when it is several trains.

  • A direct object means altering the thing itself: changer la roue is changing that wheel, changer de roue is switching to a different one.