Recognising -ir verbs in the historic past in French (Le Passé Simple)

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When learning French, recognising Le Passé Simple (Indicatif) is very important as it is used in literature and other French writings.

Learn to recognise -ir verbs in Le Passé Simple (Indicatif) in French

Look at these examples:

Cette nuit-là, je dormis paisiblement.That night, I slept peacefully.

Quand tu partis pour la guerre, mon cœur se brisa.When you left for war, my heart broke.

Le prince choisit Cendrillon parmi toutes les danseuses.The prince chose Cinderella among all the dancers.

Nous sortîmes alors du placard.We then came out of the closet. 

Vous réussîtes à vous libérer.You managed to free yourselves.

Les enfants grandirent très vite.The children grew up very fast.

To conjugate most -ir verbs* in Le Passé Simple (Indicatif), here is what to do:

Stem of the verb (without -IR) + endings: -is, -is, -it, -îmes, -îtes, -irent

Possible confusion with -IR verbs following finir conjugation (verbes du 2e groupe)

For these verbs, the je/tu/il/elle/on forms of Le Passé Simple (Indicatif) are exactly the same as for Le Présent (Indicatif). 
The context will help you know which tense is intended in those cases.
Aujourd'hui, je finis le travail à 18h.Today, I'm finishing work at 6pm.

Ce jour-là, je finis par renoncer.On that day, I ended up giving up.

Other -IR verbs have distinct forms in both tenses.

Mon fils dort toujours profondément.My son always sleeps deeply.

Cette nuit-là, la princesse dormit paisiblement.That night, the princess slept peacefully.

* The following French -ir verbs (and their derivatives) do not follow this pattern in Le Passé Simple (Indicatif):
venir (to come) / tenir (to hold)
courir (to run)
 

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Examples and resources

Cette nuit-là, je dormis paisiblement.That night, I slept peacefully.
Nous sortîmes alors du placard.We then came out of the closet. 
Vous réussîtes à vous libérer.You managed to free yourselves.
Les enfants grandirent très vite.The children grew up very fast.
Le prince choisit Cendrillon parmi toutes les danseuses.The prince chose Cinderella among all the dancers.
Quand tu partis pour la guerre, mon cœur se brisa.When you left for war, my heart broke.
Aujourd'hui, je finis le travail à 18h.Today, I'm finishing work at 6pm.
Ce jour-là, je finis par renoncer.On that day, I ended up giving up.
Mon fils dort toujours profondément.My son always sleeps deeply.
Cette nuit-là, la princesse dormit paisiblement.That night, the princess slept peacefully.
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