Passé simple : verbes en -eindre, -aindre, -oindre

This grammar point is all about a transformation. Regular French verbs usually keep their stems fairly steady. But verbs like craindre (to fear) or peindre (to paint) have a secret. When they move into the Passé simple, they grow a new sound. That sound is the gn (like in oignon). This gn replaces the d in the infinitive ending. It makes the verb sound much softer and more fluid. Imagine you are smoothing out a rough edge on a piece of wood. You take the clunky -dre and turn it into a sleek -gn-. Once you have that new stem, you just add specific endings. These endings are the same as regular -ir verbs in this tense. So, if you know how to conjugate finir in the Passé simple, you are halfway there. The magic is all in that gn transformation. It’s like a grammar makeover for your verbs.

1. 1To build these verbs, follow these three simple steps:
2. 2Start with your infinitive verb, like éteindre (to extinguish).
3. 3Remove the -dre at the end. You are left with étein-.
4. 4Add the "magic" letters gn to the end of your new stem. Now you have éteign-.
5. 5Now, simply add the Passé simple endings for -ir type verbs:
6. 6je -> -is (example: je craignis)
7. 7tu -> -is (example: tu craignis)
8. 8il/elle/on -> -it (example: il craignit)
9. 9nous -> -îmes (example: nous craignîmes)
10. 10vous -> -îtes (example: vous craignîtes)
11. 11ils/elles -> -irent (example: ils craignirent)
12. 12It’s like building a LEGO set. The gn is the connector piece that makes everything fit. Just remember that the nous and vous forms always want to wear a little hat (the circumflex accent ^).

You will use this tense in very specific situations. Think of it as your "formal attire" for French. You wear it when you are writing a formal essay. You wear it when you are writing a short story. You will see it constantly in newspapers like *Le Monde*. It is used for completed actions in the past. It moves the story forward quickly. Imagine a movie scene where the hero suddenly éteignit (turned off) the light. That is a sharp, finished action. You might also see it in very formal speeches. If a President is giving a historical address, they might use it. It adds a sense of gravity and history to the words. It says, "This event is finished and it is significant."

Do not use this at the grocery store. Seriously, don't. If you tell the cashier je craignis le prix (I feared the price), they might think you time-traveled from the 18th century. For daily life, stick to the Passé composé. Use j'ai craint instead of je craignis. Avoid using it in emails to friends or text messages. It will make you sound incredibly stiff and robotic. Think of it like wearing a tuxedo to a beach party. It’s technically correct clothing, but it feels totally out of place. Also, avoid it in casual conversation. Native speakers almost never say these forms out loud. They only read them or write them.

The biggest mistake is forgetting the gn. People often try to keep the d from the infinitive. They might write il craidit, which sounds like a strange bird call. Always remember: the d must die so the gn can live. Another common error is missing the accent on nous and vous. That little hat on îmes and îtes is important for the "look" of the tense. Some learners also get confused between -eindre and -indre endings. They might try to use the -u ending (like je courus). Don't do that! These verbs always take the -i family of endings. Finally, don't accidentally use the Present tense. Il peint (He paints) looks very similar to il peignit (he painted). That extra gn and it make all the difference.

How is this different from other past tenses? Let’s compare. The Imparfait is for descriptions. Il craignait means "he was afraid" (a state of mind). The Passé composé is for life. Il a craint means "he feared" (happened yesterday in conversation). The Passé simple is for the page. Il craignit means "he feared" (happened in a story). Think of the Imparfait as the background music. Think of the Passé simple as the sudden clap of thunder. It marks a specific point in time. Also, don't confuse these with regular -ir verbs. While they share endings, the stem change to gn is unique to this -indre family. It’s like they are cousins who share the same shoes but have different hairstyles.