Le Présent in French Grammar
Grammar_Tenses_Present.intro_desc1
When to use the présent
facts and ongoing situations in the present
actions that happen once, multiple times or never in the present
a future action that is already planned or agreed upon (requires a specific future time indicator)
the duration of actions that started in the past and are ongoing in the present.
How to conjugate the present tense in French
| Person | -er | -ir (1) | -ir (2) | -re |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| je | -e | -is | -s | -s |
| tu | -es | -is | -s | -s |
| il/elle | -e | -it | -t | -t / -- |
| nous | -ons | -issons | -ons | -ons |
| vous | -ez | -issez | -ez | -ez |
| ils/elles | -ent | -issent | -ent | -ent |
Spelling rules and exceptions
-germanger -> mangeons
-cerlancer -> lançons
-yerenvoyer -> envoie
-elerappeler -> appelle
Le présent continu: the present progressive in French
The présent continu, also known as the présent progressif or the présent duratif, is the French equivalent of the present progressive in English (I am doing, he is going, etc.). Like its English counterpart, it demonstrates that an action or event is in progress at the moment of speaking.
être + en train de + infinitive