This verb falls into the pattern commonly termed regular -ir verb. It is
characterised by the consonant -ss- which appears before any ending beginning with
a vowel (in the spelling) but not in the infinitive or past participle.
This is the pattern generally followed by verbs based on colours and some other
common adjectives (such as (to turn red, blush),
jaunir (to turn yellow),
grandir (to grow),
adoucir (to soften) etc.
Many English verbs ending in -ish also have French counterparts ending in -ir
and following this pattern (cf finir, polir,
vernir (to varnish), abolir,
ternir...
Around 300 verbs are reported to follow this pattern (Beescherelle (2006), la conjugaison pour tous).
The category is marginally productive:
- On analogy with other verbs of the category, very occasional -ir
neologisms are formed (cf amarsir);
- There is a very slight tendancy for irregular -ir verbs to "slip into"
the regular -ir pattern. In educated usage,
this happens in some senses for saillir
and ressortir in some senses, and sometimes for the
verb vêtir (Bescherelle, op cit, p. 27).
Other non-standard forms occasionally found include
vous bouillissez (instead of vous bouillez: see bouillir).
Check out our reviews of the following French conjugation guides:
Barron's 501 French Verbs Bescherelle La Conjugaison pour tous
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