(Still in progress!!!!)

Spelling Changes with Certain -er verbs - please take a close look at the summary at the end!!

Note: The examples below are all given in the present tense. The student should try to conjugate all these
          verbs in the imparfait, future and conditional and apply the changes according to the rules.

Remember the following:
     -the letter "c" before an "a, o, u" (so-called back vowels) sounds like a "k" as in can.
     -the letter "c" before an "i, e" (so-called front vowels) sounds like an "s" as in soft.

     -the letter "g" before an "a, o, u" (so-called back vowels) sounds like a "g" as in 'go."
     -the letter "g" before an "i, e" (so-called front vowels) sounds like a "g" (a soft "g") as in beige.

This has been practiced in class. Now to the spelling changes!

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I. Infinitives ending in: -cer and -ger
         A. When the infinitve ends in -cer, we change the c to ç before"a, o, u" to maintain that "s" sound.

              Some verbs in that category are: lancer, effacer, commencer remplacer ...

       Thus to use commencer as an example:
    

         B. Infinitives ending in -ger insert a mute "e" between the g and the o to maintain the soft "g" sound.
              Some verbs in this category are: manger, deranger, diriger, plonger, corriger...

Thus to use manger as an example:
    

II. Infinitives ending in: -e+consonant +er and -é+consonant +er (see item IV below for the verbs appeler
     and jeter ")
     A. When the infinitive ends in -e+consonant +er, the "-e- becomes "è"
           before the mute endings -e, es, ent and also in the future conditonal (i.e. j'achèterai...)
           this looks more complicated than it is. Just take a very close look at the example).

           Some of the verbs in this category are: acheter, enlever, peser, promener, emmener...

Thus: to use acheter as an example:
    

     B. When the infinitive ends in -é+consonant +er, the "-é-" becomes "è"
          before the mute endings -e, es, ent (note: this change take only place
                                                                    in the present, subjunctive and imperative see summary below) ) .

           Some of the verbs in this category are: répéter, protéger, posséder, préférer...

Thus: to use posséder as an example:
    

  III. Infinitives ending in:-yer.
         When the infinitive ends in -yer , the "-y-" changes to "-i-" before a "mute" e.

         Some of the verbs in this category are: essayer, nettoyer, envoyer, ennuyer...

Thus: to use ennuyer as an example:
    

IV.The verbs appeler and jeter
         In appeler the "-l-" changes to "-ll-" and
          in jeter the "-t-" changes to "-tt-" before a mute "e."

         Thus:
    

Summary of -er verbs with spelling changes (French Three Year, Blume Stein, AMSCO). -- this sections needs proofreading!!!

Below the verbs: appeler and jeter: