The conjugation of the verb promener can be quite confusing:
- We write je me promène in the first person singular present.
- We write nous nous promenons in the first person plural present.
- We write je me suis promené(e) in the first person singular compound past.
I am a French Native so I usually decide to put an accent on the first e depending on the pronunciation. Je me promene and Nous nous proménons would simply sound awkward.
But how can a French learner easily know when to put an accent when conjugating Promener or similar verbs (appeler, jeter)?
Is there a simple rule, either linguistic/grammatical/logical or mnemotechnic? Or is memorizing, and a lot of practice, speaking and listening, the only way to go?
Note: I am asking the question in order to help a friend who is learning French, so answers in English are preferred, but I can translate answers in French.