Conjugation of Rappeler in French: Complete Tense Guide & Rules

Rappeler French Conjugation Guide: Charts, Rules & Pronunciation

The French verb rappeler is an indispensable part of everyday communication. Depending on the context, it translates to "to call back" (on the phone), "to remind", or—in its reflexive form se rappeler—"to remember".

Classified as a regular first-group verb ending in -er, it presents one major technical challenge: it is a stem-changing verb. The letter l doubles into ll under specific phonetic conditions. In this comprehensive guide from my-french.com, you will find clear conjugation tables, grammar rules, and practical tips to master rappeler in any tense.

The Stem-Changing Rule: Single "l" vs. Double "ll"

To conjugate rappeler correctly, remember this straightforward phonetic rule:

1. Double the "l" (`ll`): When the ending contains a silent "e" (an unpronounced, mute vowel). Doubling the consonant changes the preceding "e" sound from [ə] to an open [ɛ] (like the "e" in bed).

• Examples: je rappelle, tu rappelles, ils rappelleront.

2. Keep a single "l" (`l`): When the syllable that follows has a clearly pronounced vowel sound (such as -ons, -ez, -ais, or the past participle -é).

• Examples: nous rappelons, vous rappelez, j'ai rappelé.

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Indicative Mood: Most Common Tenses

1. Present Tense (Présent)

Notice how the "boot" pattern applies: nous and vous retain the single l, while all other persons double the ll.

2. Compound Past (Passé Composé)

In the non-reflexive form, rappeler uses the auxiliary avoir. The past participle is rappelé (always with a single l).

• J'ai rappelé (I called back / I reminded)
• Tu as rappelé
• Il / Elle / On a rappelé
• Nous avons rappelé
• Vous avez rappelé
• Ils / Elles ont rappelé

3. Imperfect Tense (Imparfait)

Because all imperfect endings start with a pronounced vowel sound (-ais, -ait, -ions, -iez, -aient), the stem never doubles the consonant.

• Je rappelais (I was calling back / used to remind)
• Tu rappelais
• Il / Elle rappelait
• Nous rappelions
• Vous rappeliez
• Ils / Elles rappelaient

4. Simple Future (Futur Simple)

The stem for the future tense is rappeller- with a double ll for all subject pronouns.

• Je rappellerai (I will call back)
• Tu rappelleras
• Il / Elle rappellera
• Nous rappellerons
• Vous rappellerez
• Ils / Elles rappelleront

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Conditional & Subjunctive Tenses

Conditional Present

The conditional shares the double-l stem of the simple future:

• Je rappellerais (I would call back)
• Tu rappellerais
• Il / Elle rappellerait
• Nous rappellerions
• Vous rappelleriez
• Ils / Elles rappelleraient

Subjunctive Present

As with the present indicative, the stem shifts back to single l exclusively for nous and vous:

• Que je rappelle
• Que tu rappelles
• Qu'il / elle rappelle
• Que nous rappelions
• Que vous rappeliez
• Qu'ils / elles rappellent

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Imperative Mood (L'Impératif)

Used for direct commands and requests:

• (Tu) Rappelle ! (Call back! / Remind!)
• (Nous) Rappelons ! (Let's call back!)
• (Vous) Rappelez ! (Call back!)

Important note: In the imperative singular form, regular -er verbs drop the final "s". Write Rappelle-moi plus tard (never Rappelles-moi).

Reflexive Usage: « Se rappeler » vs. « Se souvenir de »

When conjugated reflexively as se rappeler, the meaning becomes "to remember" or "to recall".

The Common Preposition Mistake

• Correct: Je me rappelle cette histoire. (Se rappeler takes a direct object without de).
• Incorrect: Je me rappelle ~~de~~ cette histoire.
• Compare with: Je me souviens de cette histoire. (Se souvenir requires de).

Auxiliary in Compound Tenses

• Je me suis rappelé(e) son nom. (I remembered his/her name.)

Reflexive verbs take être in compound tenses:

Key Takeaways

1. Whenever the syllable following the root is silent, use -ll- (je rappelle, ils rappellent, nous rappellerons).

2. Whenever the next syllable is sounded out, use -l- (nous rappelons, vous rappelez, j'ai rappelé).

3. Keep your ear tuned to the [ɛ] vowel sound: if you hear "pelle", double the "l"!