French verbs are essential components of the French language, used to express actions, states, or occurrences. They are categorized into three groups based on their endings: er, ir, and re verbs. Each group follows specific conjugation patterns, which change according to the subject pronoun and tense. Conjugation is the process of altering a verb to reflect its subject and time. For example, the er verb "parler" (to speak) changes to "je parle" (I speak) in the present tense. Understanding these patterns is crucial for effective communication in French, as verbs convey the core meaning of sentences.