PrepMyFrench
PrepMyFrench
Also known as: present participle · -ant form · French present participle
The participe présent is the French -ant verb form built from the nous form of the present tense minus -ons, plus -ant. It is usually invariable and can replace some relative clauses or express a simultaneous action in formal written French.
Only three common forms are irregular: étant, ayant, and sachant. The participe présent is different from the gérondif, which requires en, and from verbal adjectives, which agree.
Participe présent is useful for advanced reading and formal writing, but candidates should avoid overusing it in everyday speech.
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