Commencer Conjugation in French: Complete Tables and Guide

Commencer Conjugation in French: Full Guide and Verb Tables

The verb commencer (to begin / to start) is one of the most frequently used verbs in everyday French. While it follows the regular pattern of first-group verbs ending in -er, it introduces a classic spelling variation: the cedilla (ç).

In this comprehensive guide developed by the language experts at my-french.com, you will master the conjugation of commencer across all major tenses, understand the phonetic reason behind the cedilla, and learn key preposition combinations.

1. The Core Spelling Rule: When and Why to Use « ç »

In French phonetics, the letter c sounds hard like a [k] when followed by the vowels a, o, or u (e.g., carte, costume). However, it sounds soft like an [s] before e, i, and y (e.g., centre, cinéma).

Because the infinitive commencer has a soft [s] sound, that sound must remain consistent in all conjugated forms. Whenever a verb ending starts with a or o, the letter c takes a cedilla (ç) to keep the soft [s] sound.

• Look at these examples:
• Nous commençons (with ç before o)
• Je commençais (with ç before a)
• En commençant (with ç before a)

When the ending starts with e or i, the standard letter c naturally produces the [s] sound, so no cedilla is needed: je commence, vous commencez, nous commencions.

2. Indicative Tenses (Indicatif)

Present Tense (Présent)

Use the present tense to express current actions or ongoing routines.

Passé Composé (Compound Past)

The passé composé expresses completed actions in the past. Commencer takes the auxiliary verb avoir and the regular past participle commencé.

• J'ai commencé (I started / I have started)
• Tu as commencé
• Il / Elle / On a commencé
• Nous avons commencé
• Vous avez commencé
• Ils / Elles ont commencé

Imperfect Tense (Imparfait)

The imparfait is used for descriptions, past habits, or actions in progress in the past. Notice the cedilla in the singular forms and third-person plural.

• Je commençais (I was starting / I used to start)
• Tu commençais
• Il / Elle / On commençait
• Nous commencions (standard c before i)
• Vous commenciez (standard c before i)
• Ils / Elles commençaient

Simple Future (Futur Simple)

Because all future stem endings start with an e (-er-), the regular letter c is used throughout.

• Je commencerai (I will start)
• Tu commenceras
• Il / Elle / On commencera
• Nous commencerons
• Vous commencerez
• Ils / Elles commenceront

---

3. Subjunctive and Conditional Forms

Present Subjunctive (Subjonctif Présent)

Used after expressions of necessity, desire, or emotion. Since the endings start with e or i, no cedilla is used.

• Que je commence
• Que tu commences
• Qu'il / elle / on commence
• Que nous commencions
• Que vous commenciez
• Qu'ils / elles commencent

Present Conditional (Conditionnel Présent)

Used for polite requests, advice, or hypothetical scenarios.

• Je commencerais (I would start)
• Tu commencerais
• Il / Elle / On commencerait
• Nous commencerions
• Vous commenceriez
• Ils / Elles commenceraient

Imperative (Impératif)

For direct instructions and invitations.

• Commence ! (Start! - notice there is no ending 's')
• Commençons ! (Let's start! - with cedilla)
• Commencez ! (Start! - plural/formal)

---

4. Prepositions: « Commencer à » vs. « Commencer par »

Using the right preposition after commencer will make your French sound authentic and natural:

1. Commencer à + infinitive: Translates to "to begin doing something."

• Ex: Je commence à comprendre la grammaire. (I am beginning to understand grammar.)

2. Commencer par + noun/verb: Translates to "to start with" or "to start by doing."

• Ex: Commençons par le premier chapitre. (Let's start with the first chapter.)
• Ex: Il a commencé par s'excuser. (He started by apologizing.)

Remember: whenever an a or an o appears right after the stem, add the cedilla (ç). With this golden rule in mind, you will conjugate commencer accurately in any French conversation or exam.