Remarquer Conjugation French: The Ultimate Guide and Tables

Learning French verbs can sometimes feel intimidating, but there is good news: the verb remarquer (which translates to to notice, to observe, or to point out) belongs to the regular first group (-er verbs). This means that once you understand standard -er conjugation rules, you can conjugate remarquer flawlessly in every single tense.

In this complete guide, you will find comprehensive conjugation charts, pronunciation notes, and practical real-life examples to boost your French fluency.

General Characteristics of "Remarquer"

  • Infinitive: Remarquer
  • Meaning: To notice, to note, to remark
  • Verb group: 1st group (regular -er pattern)
  • Stem (Radical): `remarqu-`
  • Auxiliary verb in compound tenses: Avoir (e.g., j'ai remarqué)
  • Present Participle: Remarquant (noticing)
  • Past Participle: Remarqué (noticed)

    • Indicative Mood (L'indicatif)

The indicative mood deals with factual statements, realities, and general truths.

1. Present Tense (Présent)

Use the present tense to describe what is happening right now or habitual actions.

Subject Pronoun Ending Conjugated Form Meaning
:--- :--- :--- :---
Je -e remarque I notice / I am noticing
Tu -es remarques You notice (informal)
Il / Elle / On -e remarque He / She / One notices
Nous -ons remarquons We notice
Vous -ez remarquez You notice (formal/plural)
Ils / Elles -ent remarquent They notice

Example: « Je remarque souvent ses progrès en classe. » (I often notice his progress in class.)

2. Compound Past (Passé Composé)

The passé composé expresses a completed action in the past. It pairs the auxiliary avoir with the past participle remarqué.

  • J'ai remarqué (I noticed)
  • Tu as remarqué (You noticed)
  • Il / Elle a remarqué (He / She noticed)
  • Nous avons remarqué (We noticed)
  • Vous avez remarqué (You noticed)
  • Ils / Elles ont remarqué (They noticed)

Example: « Avez-vous remarqué la nouvelle enseigne ? » (Did you notice the new sign?)

3. Imperfect (Imparfait)

The imperfect is used for continuous, ongoing past states or repeated past habits.

  • Je remarquais
  • Tu remarquais
  • Il / Elle remarquait
  • Nous remarquions
  • Vous remarquiez
  • Ils / Elles remarquaient

Pronunciation tip: The endings -ais, -ait, and -aient all sound identical: /ɛ/.

4. Simple Future (Futur Simple)

Formed by taking the full infinitive remarquer and appending the regular future endings (-ai, -as, -a, -ons, -ez, -ont).

  • Je remarquerai (I will notice)
  • Tu remarqueras (You will notice)
  • Il / Elle remarquera (He / She will notice)
  • Nous remarquerons (We will notice)
  • Vous remarquerez (You will notice)
  • Ils / Elles remarqueront (They will notice)

Common learner trap: Do not confuse je remarquerai (future, ending in /-e/) with je remarquerais (conditional, ending in /-ɛ/).

Conditional Mood (Le Conditionnel)

Used for hypothetical situations, polite remarks, or uncertain events.

Present Conditional (Conditionnel Présent)

  • Je remarquerais
  • Tu remarquerais
  • Il / Elle remarquerait
  • Nous remarquerions
  • Vous remarquiez
  • Ils / Elles remarqueraient

Example: « Sans tes explications, je ne remarquerais rien. » (Without your explanations, I wouldn't notice anything.)

Subjunctive Mood (Le Subjonctif)

The subjunctive expresses doubt, emotion, necessity, or subjective perceptions.

Present Subjunctive (Subjonctif Présent)

  • Que je remarque
  • Que tu remarques
  • Qu'il / elle remarque
  • Que nous remarquions
  • Que vous remarquiez
  • Qu'ils / elles remarquent

Example: « Il est important que tu remarques les détails du contrat. » (It is important that you notice the details of the contract.)

Imperative Mood (L'Impératif)

Used for direct commands and instructions. Remember that singular tu drops the final s for regular -er verbs.

  • (Tu) Remarque ! (Notice! / Look!)
  • (Nous) Remarquons ! (Let's notice!)
  • (Vous) Remarquez ! (Notice! - formal/plural)

    • Key Idiomatic Expressions with "Remarquer"

To sound natural when speaking French, keep these frequent collocations in mind:

1. Faire remarquer quelque chose à quelqu'un : To point something out to someone.

Example: « Le guide nous a fait remarquer l'architecture du monument. » (The guide pointed out the monument's architecture to us.)

2. Se faire remarquer : To stand out, draw attention to oneself, or cause a scene.

Example: « Évite de crier, tu vas te faire remarquer. » (Avoid shouting, you'll draw attention to yourself.)

3. Remarquer que : When stating an observed objective fact, always follow it with the indicative mood.

Example: « Je remarque qu'il est déjà tard. » (I notice that it is already late.)

By practicing the root pattern `remarqu-` alongside standard regular verb endings, you will quickly integrate remarquer into your everyday French conversations and writing.