To conjugate verbs ending in "-ayer/-oyer/-uyer" in Le Présent tense, you follow the normal conjugation of "-ER" verbs, but the "y" becomes an "i" for "je/tu/il/elle/on/ils/elles"
ESSAYER (to try)
j'essaie | I try |
tu essaies | You try (one person you know well) |
il/elle/on essaie | He/She/We/one/people try |
nous essayons | We try |
vous essayez | You try (more than 1 person or formal) |
ils/elles essaient | They try |
ATTENTION: For verbs in -AYER, in spoken French (included written dialogue in a play for example) an alternative version where the "y" is kept for all forms is frequently used (and also pronounced differently):
Il essaie de dormir.
He's trying to sleep.
Il essaye de dormir.
He's trying to sleep.
Je paie mon loyer tous les mois.
I pay my rent every month.
Je paye mon loyer tous les mois.
I pay my rent every month.
Note however that the nous and vous forms always take "y".
Common -AYER / -OYER / -UYER verbs
essayer (to try)
payer (to pay)
employer (to use/employ)
envoyer (to send)
nettoyer (to clean)
essuyer (to wipe)
Learn more about these related French grammar topics
Examples and resources
Il essaye de dormir.
He's trying to sleep.

Il essaie de dormir.
He's trying to sleep.
Vous payez en espèces?
Are you paying in cash?
Je paye mon loyer tous les mois.
I pay my rent every month.
Nous envoyons une lettre.
We're sending a letter.
Je paie mon loyer tous les mois.
I pay my rent every month.
Tu nettoies ta chambre?
Are you cleaning your room?

Q&A

Ron
Kwiziq community member
20/11/17
Robin
Kwiziq community member
20/11/17

Aurélie
Kwiziq language super star
20/11/17
Bonjour Robin !
I think you mean "We tried to call the bank.", which in French would be:
"Nous avons essayé d'appeler la banque."
OR
"Nous avons essayé de téléphoner à la banque."
-> téléphoner à [quelqu'un] = to phone [someone]
I hope that's helpful! À bientôt !

Ron
Kwiziq community member
20/11/17

Ron
Kwiziq community member
3/09/17

Michael
Kwiziq community member
3/09/17
Donald
Kwiziq community member
12/09/17

Ron
Kwiziq community member
12/09/17
Marnie
Kwiziq community member
15 August 2018
3 replies
Nettoie vs nettoye
Nettoye the lesson gives Nettoye as the alternate spelling of nettoie but the quiz doesn't follow your lesson...I tried it just to see if it would be accepted...surely it should be marked "correct"
Chris
Kwiziq community member
15 August 2018
15/08/18
The alternative spelling -aie/-aye is available only for verbs ending in -ayer. Nettoyer dos not fall under this category.
-- Chris.
Cécile
Kwiziq language super star
15 August 2018
15/08/18
Hi Marnie,
As Chris says only 'nettoie' ( je / il/elle/on ) is correct.
Marnie
Kwiziq community member
15 August 2018
15/08/18