{"id":6407,"date":"2017-07-07T00:00:00","date_gmt":"2017-07-06T22:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/global-exam.com\/blog\/blog\/delf-present\/"},"modified":"2021-10-20T10:53:16","modified_gmt":"2021-10-20T08:53:16","slug":"delf-present","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/global-exam.com\/blog\/en\/french-grammar-present\/","title":{"rendered":"French Present Tense: how does the conjugation work?"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><div class=\"fusion-fullwidth fullwidth-box fusion-builder-row-1 fusion-flex-container nonhundred-percent-fullwidth non-hundred-percent-height-scrolling\" style=\"background-color: rgba(255,255,255,0);background-position: center center;background-repeat: no-repeat;border-width: 0px 0px 0px 0px;border-color:#eae9e9;border-style:solid;\" ><div class=\"fusion-builder-row fusion-row fusion-flex-align-items-flex-start\" style=\"max-width:calc( 1400px + 0px );margin-left: calc(-0px \/ 2 );margin-right: calc(-0px \/ 2 );\"><div class=\"fusion-layout-column fusion_builder_column fusion-builder-column-0 fusion_builder_column_1_1 1_1 fusion-flex-column\"><div class=\"fusion-column-wrapper fusion-flex-justify-content-flex-start fusion-content-layout-column\" style=\"background-position:left top;background-repeat:no-repeat;-webkit-background-size:cover;-moz-background-size:cover;-o-background-size:cover;background-size:cover;padding: 0px 0px 0px 0px;\"><div class=\"fusion-text fusion-text-1\"><p>In this article, we\u2019re going to run through everything there is to know about the <strong>French present tense.<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>We\u2019ll look at:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li aria-level=\"1\">When to use the French present tense<\/li>\n<li aria-level=\"1\">Different group conjugations<\/li>\n<li aria-level=\"1\">Forming the negative present<\/li>\n<li aria-level=\"1\">Forming the imperative<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>The present tense is one of the most important building blocks in the French language, so there\u2019s no time like the present to get started!<\/p>\n<p>If you wish to <a href=\"https:\/\/global-exam.com\/en\/general\/french\">learn French online easily<\/a> in order to take the tests <a href=\"https:\/\/global-exam.com\/en\/exam\/delf\">DELF,<\/a><a href=\"https:\/\/global-exam.com\/en\/exam\/dalf\">\u00a0DALF<\/a>\u00a0or\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/global-exam.com\/en\/exam\/tcf\">TCF<\/a>\u00a0revising all our french grammar and conjugation worksheets is always a great idea!<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><style type=\"text\/css\">.fusion-body .fusion-builder-column-0{width:100% !important;margin-top : 0px;margin-bottom : 0px;}.fusion-builder-column-0 > .fusion-column-wrapper {padding-top : 0px !important;padding-right : 0px !important;margin-right : 0px;padding-bottom : 0px !important;padding-left : 0px !important;margin-left : 0px;}@media only screen and (max-width:1024px) {.fusion-body .fusion-builder-column-0{width:100% !important;}.fusion-builder-column-0 > .fusion-column-wrapper {margin-right : 0px;margin-left : 0px;}}@media only screen and (max-width:640px) {.fusion-body .fusion-builder-column-0{width:100% !important;}.fusion-builder-column-0 > .fusion-column-wrapper {margin-right : 0px;margin-left : 0px;}}<\/style><\/div><\/div><style type=\"text\/css\">.fusion-body .fusion-flex-container.fusion-builder-row-1{ padding-top : 0px;margin-top : 0px;padding-right : 0px;padding-bottom : 0px;margin-bottom : 0px;padding-left : 0px;}<\/style><\/div><div class=\"fusion-fullwidth fullwidth-box fusion-builder-row-2 fusion-flex-container nonhundred-percent-fullwidth non-hundred-percent-height-scrolling\" style=\"background-color: rgba(255,255,255,0);background-position: center center;background-repeat: no-repeat;border-width: 0px 0px 0px 0px;border-color:#eae9e9;border-style:solid;\" ><div class=\"fusion-builder-row fusion-row fusion-flex-align-items-flex-start\" style=\"max-width:calc( 1400px + 0px );margin-left: calc(-0px \/ 2 );margin-right: calc(-0px \/ 2 );\"><div class=\"fusion-layout-column fusion_builder_column fusion-builder-column-1 fusion_builder_column_1_1 1_1 fusion-flex-column\"><div class=\"fusion-column-wrapper fusion-flex-justify-content-flex-start fusion-content-layout-column\" style=\"background-position:left top;background-repeat:no-repeat;-webkit-background-size:cover;-moz-background-size:cover;-o-background-size:cover;background-size:cover;padding: 0px 0px 0px 0px;\"><div style=\"text-align:center;\"><style type=\"text\/css\">.fusion-button.button-1 .fusion-button-text, .fusion-button.button-1 i {color:#ffffff;}.fusion-button.button-1 .fusion-button-icon-divider{border-color:#ffffff;}.fusion-button.button-1:hover .fusion-button-text, .fusion-button.button-1:hover i,.fusion-button.button-1:focus .fusion-button-text, .fusion-button.button-1:focus i,.fusion-button.button-1:active .fusion-button-text, .fusion-button.button-1:active{color:#fe6c35;}.fusion-button.button-1:hover .fusion-button-icon-divider, .fusion-button.button-1:hover .fusion-button-icon-divider, .fusion-button.button-1:active .fusion-button-icon-divider{border-color:#fe6c35;}.fusion-button.button-1:hover, .fusion-button.button-1:focus, .fusion-button.button-1:active{border-color:#fe6c35;}.fusion-button.button-1 {border-color:#ffffff;border-radius:25px;}.fusion-button.button-1{background: #ff9800;}.fusion-button.button-1:hover,.button-1:focus,.fusion-button.button-1:active{background: #ffaa2b;}.fusion-button.button-1 .fusion-button-text {text-transform:uppercase;}<\/style><a class=\"fusion-button button-flat button-large button-custom button-1 fusion-button-span-no fusion-button-default-type\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/auth.global-exam.com\/register\"><span class=\"fusion-button-text\">Test my level for free<\/span><\/a><\/div><\/div><style type=\"text\/css\">.fusion-body .fusion-builder-column-1{width:100% !important;margin-top : 30px;margin-bottom : 60px;}.fusion-builder-column-1 > .fusion-column-wrapper {padding-top : 0px !important;padding-right : 0px !important;margin-right : 0px;padding-bottom : 0px !important;padding-left : 0px !important;margin-left : 0px;}@media only screen and (max-width:1024px) {.fusion-body .fusion-builder-column-1{width:100% !important;}.fusion-builder-column-1 > .fusion-column-wrapper {margin-right : 0px;margin-left : 0px;}}@media only screen and (max-width:640px) {.fusion-body .fusion-builder-column-1{width:100% !important;}.fusion-builder-column-1 > .fusion-column-wrapper {margin-right : 0px;margin-left : 0px;}}<\/style><\/div><\/div><style type=\"text\/css\">.fusion-body .fusion-flex-container.fusion-builder-row-2{ padding-top : 0px;margin-top : 0px;padding-right : 0px;padding-bottom : 0px;margin-bottom : 0px;padding-left : 0px;}<\/style><\/div><div class=\"fusion-fullwidth fullwidth-box fusion-builder-row-3 fusion-flex-container nonhundred-percent-fullwidth non-hundred-percent-height-scrolling\" style=\"background-color: rgba(255,255,255,0);background-position: center center;background-repeat: no-repeat;border-width: 0px 0px 0px 0px;border-color:#eae9e9;border-style:solid;\" ><div class=\"fusion-builder-row fusion-row fusion-flex-align-items-flex-start\" style=\"max-width:calc( 1400px + 0px );margin-left: calc(-0px \/ 2 );margin-right: calc(-0px \/ 2 );\"><div class=\"fusion-layout-column fusion_builder_column fusion-builder-column-2 fusion_builder_column_1_1 1_1 fusion-flex-column\"><div class=\"fusion-column-wrapper fusion-flex-justify-content-flex-start fusion-content-layout-column\" style=\"background-position:left top;background-repeat:no-repeat;-webkit-background-size:cover;-moz-background-size:cover;-o-background-size:cover;background-size:cover;padding: 0px 0px 0px 0px;\"><div class=\"fusion-text fusion-text-2\"><h2>What is the present indicative?<\/h2>\n<p>The \u201cpresent indicative\u201d refers to the French present tense. This is the tense we use to describe <strong>things that are happening now<\/strong>, in the present moment. The good news is that whereas we have two present tenses in English, in French there is only one to contend with.<\/p>\n<h3>When do we use it?<\/h3>\n<p>We use the French present tense to <strong>describe current actions and facts, or routine actions<\/strong>. For example:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li aria-level=\"1\"><em>Je lis un livre<\/em> (\u00ab\u00a0I am reading a book\u201d)<\/li>\n<li aria-level=\"1\"><em>Elle est grande<\/em> (\u201cShe\u2019s tall\u00a0\u00bb)<\/li>\n<li aria-level=\"1\"><em>Je vais au march\u00e9 le dimanche <\/em>(\u00ab\u00a0I go to the market on Sundays\u00a0\u00bb)<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><img class=\"aligncenter wp-image-38399\" src=\"https:\/\/global-exam.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/07\/french-present-tense-learning-e1634719984566.jpg\" alt=\"enjoy-learning-studying-student\" width=\"700\" height=\"226\" srcset=\"https:\/\/global-exam.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/07\/french-present-tense-learning-e1634719984566-200x65.jpg 200w, https:\/\/global-exam.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/07\/french-present-tense-learning-e1634719984566-300x97.jpg 300w, https:\/\/global-exam.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/07\/french-present-tense-learning-e1634719984566-400x129.jpg 400w, https:\/\/global-exam.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/07\/french-present-tense-learning-e1634719984566-600x194.jpg 600w, https:\/\/global-exam.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/07\/french-present-tense-learning-e1634719984566-768x248.jpg 768w, https:\/\/global-exam.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/07\/french-present-tense-learning-e1634719984566-800x258.jpg 800w, https:\/\/global-exam.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/07\/french-present-tense-learning-e1634719984566-1024x330.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/global-exam.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/07\/french-present-tense-learning-e1634719984566.jpg 1200w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 700px) 100vw, 700px\" \/><\/p>\n<h2>Conjugating the auxiliary verbs <em>avoir<\/em> and <em>\u00eatre<\/em><\/h2>\n<p>Two of the most important verbs in French are <em>avoir<\/em> (to have) and <em>\u00eatre<\/em> (to be), so this is the place to start when you\u2019re tackling French grammar.<\/p>\n<p>As two very common verbs, they are both irregular, <strong>meaning you need to learn how each verb conjugates for every person<\/strong>. You can use the table below to study these two verbs in the present tense:<\/p>\n\n<table id=\"tablepress-992\" class=\"tablepress tablepress-id-992\">\n<thead>\n<tr class=\"row-1 odd\">\n\t<th class=\"column-1\">&nbsp;<\/th><th class=\"column-2\">Avoir<\/th><th class=\"column-3\">\u00catre<\/th>\n<\/tr>\n<\/thead>\n<tbody class=\"row-hover\">\n<tr class=\"row-2 even\">\n\t<td class=\"column-1\">je<\/td><td class=\"column-2\">ai<\/td><td class=\"column-3\">suis<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr class=\"row-3 odd\">\n\t<td class=\"column-1\">tu<\/td><td class=\"column-2\">as<\/td><td class=\"column-3\">es<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr class=\"row-4 even\">\n\t<td class=\"column-1\">il, elle<\/td><td class=\"column-2\">a<\/td><td class=\"column-3\">est<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr class=\"row-5 odd\">\n\t<td class=\"column-1\">nous<\/td><td class=\"column-2\">avons<\/td><td class=\"column-3\">sommes<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr class=\"row-6 even\">\n\t<td class=\"column-1\">vous<\/td><td class=\"column-2\">avez<\/td><td class=\"column-3\">\u00eates<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr class=\"row-7 odd\">\n\t<td class=\"column-1\">ils, elles<\/td><td class=\"column-2\">ont<\/td><td class=\"column-3\">sont<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n\n<p>Remember: in French there is often an elision between a word ending in a vowel and the subsequent word also beginning in a vowel. This means that<strong> instead of <em>je ai<\/em>, we say<em> j\u2019ai<\/em><\/strong>. However, this isn\u2019t always the case: <em>tu as<\/em>, for example, remains as such.<\/p>\n<h2>Conjugating verbs in the first group<\/h2>\n<p>Verbs in French are categorized into three main groups. The first group contains those verbs that end with <em>-er<\/em> and are the easiest to conjugate.<\/p>\n<p>Here are a few examples of verbs in this group: <em>jouer<\/em> (to play); <em>pratiquer<\/em> (to practice); <em>aimer<\/em> (to like).<\/p>\n<p>Let\u2019s conjugate the verb <em>jouer:<\/em><\/p>\n<ol>\n<li aria-level=\"1\">Take the verb in the infinitive: <em>jouer<\/em><\/li>\n<li aria-level=\"1\">Remove the <em>-er<\/em> ending: <em>jou-<\/em><\/li>\n<li aria-level=\"1\">Add the appropriate ending according to the subject of the verb: <em>-e; -es; -e; -ons; -ez; -ent.<\/em><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<p>The table below sets out the verb <em>manger<\/em> (to eat) in the present tense.<\/p>\n\n<table id=\"tablepress-993\" class=\"tablepress tablepress-id-993\">\n<thead>\n<tr class=\"row-1 odd\">\n\t<th class=\"column-1\">&nbsp;<\/th><th class=\"column-2\">Manger<\/th>\n<\/tr>\n<\/thead>\n<tbody class=\"row-hover\">\n<tr class=\"row-2 even\">\n\t<td class=\"column-1\">je<\/td><td class=\"column-2\">mange<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr class=\"row-3 odd\">\n\t<td class=\"column-1\">tu<\/td><td class=\"column-2\">manges<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr class=\"row-4 even\">\n\t<td class=\"column-1\">il, elle<\/td><td class=\"column-2\">mange<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr class=\"row-5 odd\">\n\t<td class=\"column-1\">nous<\/td><td class=\"column-2\">mangeons<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr class=\"row-6 even\">\n\t<td class=\"column-1\">vous<\/td><td class=\"column-2\">mangez<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr class=\"row-7 odd\">\n\t<td class=\"column-1\">ils, elles<\/td><td class=\"column-2\">mangent<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n\n<p>Be careful with the first person plural of manger: although the ending is <em>-ons,<\/em> <strong>we are obliged to add an additional <em>e <\/em>to the ending after a stem ending in <em>g <\/em>for pronunciation purposes<\/strong>. This is the same for a verb like <em>changer<\/em> (to change).<\/p>\n<h2>Conjugating verbs in the second group<\/h2>\n<p>The second group contains verbs ending with <em>-ir,<\/em> such as <em>grossir<\/em> (to put on weight), <em>applaudir<\/em> (to applaud), and <em>choisir<\/em> (to choose).<\/p>\n<p>For these verbs, the endings are: <em>-is; -is; -it; -issons; -issez; -issent.<\/em><\/p>\n<p>The table below sets out the verb <em>finir<\/em> (to finish) in the present tense.<\/p>\n\n<table id=\"tablepress-994\" class=\"tablepress tablepress-id-994\">\n<thead>\n<tr class=\"row-1 odd\">\n\t<th class=\"column-1\">&nbsp;<\/th><th class=\"column-2\">Finir<\/th>\n<\/tr>\n<\/thead>\n<tbody class=\"row-hover\">\n<tr class=\"row-2 even\">\n\t<td class=\"column-1\">je<\/td><td class=\"column-2\">finis<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr class=\"row-3 odd\">\n\t<td class=\"column-1\">tu<\/td><td class=\"column-2\">finis<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr class=\"row-4 even\">\n\t<td class=\"column-1\">il, elle<\/td><td class=\"column-2\">finit<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr class=\"row-5 odd\">\n\t<td class=\"column-1\">nous<\/td><td class=\"column-2\">finissons<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr class=\"row-6 even\">\n\t<td class=\"column-1\">vous<\/td><td class=\"column-2\">fnissez<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr class=\"row-7 odd\">\n\t<td class=\"column-1\">ils, elles<\/td><td class=\"column-2\">finissent<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n\n<h2>Conjugating verbs in the third group<\/h2>\n<p>The third group contains verbs ending with <em>-ir, -dre, -a\u00eetre<\/em> and <em>-o\u00eetre,<\/em> such as <em>dormir<\/em> (to sleep), <em>venir<\/em> (to come), <em>r\u00e9pondre<\/em> (to reply), <em>conna\u00eetre<\/em> (to know), and <em>dispara\u00eetre<\/em> (to disappear). As you\u2019ll have noticed, <strong>verbs ending in <em>-ir<\/em> can belong to the second or third group<\/strong>, you simply have to learn.<\/p>\n<p>For these verbs, there are different types of endings, but most commonly they are:<em> -s; -s; -t\/-d; -ons; -ez; -ent.<\/em><\/p>\n<p>The table below sets out the verbs <em>dormir<\/em> (to sleep), <em>venir<\/em> (to come), <em>prendre<\/em> (to take), and <em>conna\u00eetre<\/em> (to know) in the present tense.<\/p>\n\n<table id=\"tablepress-995\" class=\"tablepress tablepress-id-995\">\n<thead>\n<tr class=\"row-1 odd\">\n\t<th class=\"column-1\">&nbsp;<\/th><th class=\"column-2\">Dormir<\/th><th class=\"column-3\">Venir<\/th><th class=\"column-4\">Prendre<\/th><th class=\"column-5\">Conna\u00eetre<\/th>\n<\/tr>\n<\/thead>\n<tbody class=\"row-hover\">\n<tr class=\"row-2 even\">\n\t<td class=\"column-1\">je<\/td><td class=\"column-2\">dors<\/td><td class=\"column-3\">viens<\/td><td class=\"column-4\">prends<\/td><td class=\"column-5\">connais<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr class=\"row-3 odd\">\n\t<td class=\"column-1\">tu<\/td><td class=\"column-2\">dors<\/td><td class=\"column-3\">viens<\/td><td class=\"column-4\">prends<\/td><td class=\"column-5\">connais<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr class=\"row-4 even\">\n\t<td class=\"column-1\">il, elle<\/td><td class=\"column-2\">dort<\/td><td class=\"column-3\">vient<\/td><td class=\"column-4\">prend<\/td><td class=\"column-5\">conna\u00eet<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr class=\"row-5 odd\">\n\t<td class=\"column-1\">nous<\/td><td class=\"column-2\">dormons<\/td><td class=\"column-3\">venons<\/td><td class=\"column-4\">prenons<\/td><td class=\"column-5\">connaissons<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr class=\"row-6 even\">\n\t<td class=\"column-1\">vous<\/td><td class=\"column-2\">dormez<\/td><td class=\"column-3\">venez<\/td><td class=\"column-4\">prenez<\/td><td class=\"column-5\">connaissez<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr class=\"row-7 odd\">\n\t<td class=\"column-1\">ils, elles<\/td><td class=\"column-2\">dorment<\/td><td class=\"column-3\">viennent<\/td><td class=\"column-4\">prennent<\/td><td class=\"column-5\">connaissent<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n\n<p>Irregular verbsThere are <strong>a few particularities to note<\/strong>: <em>venir<\/em> and <em>prendre<\/em> take a double \u201c<em>n<\/em>\u201d in the third person plural; and <em>conna\u00eetre<\/em> has an accent in the third person singular.<\/p>\n<h2>Irregular verbs<\/h2>\n<p>We\u2019ve already seen two irregular verbs, <em>avoir<\/em> and <em>\u00eatre,<\/em> but there are plenty more.<\/p>\n<p>The table below sets out the verbs <em>aller<\/em> (to go), <em>pouvoir<\/em> (to be able), <em>vouloir<\/em> (to want), and <em>faire<\/em> (to do) in the present tense.<\/p>\n\n<table id=\"tablepress-996\" class=\"tablepress tablepress-id-996\">\n<thead>\n<tr class=\"row-1 odd\">\n\t<th class=\"column-1\">&nbsp;<\/th><th class=\"column-2\">Aller<\/th><th class=\"column-3\">Pouvoir<\/th><th class=\"column-4\">Vouloir<\/th><th class=\"column-5\">Faire<\/th>\n<\/tr>\n<\/thead>\n<tbody class=\"row-hover\">\n<tr class=\"row-2 even\">\n\t<td class=\"column-1\">je<\/td><td class=\"column-2\">vais<\/td><td class=\"column-3\">peux<\/td><td class=\"column-4\">veux<\/td><td class=\"column-5\">fais<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr class=\"row-3 odd\">\n\t<td class=\"column-1\">tu<\/td><td class=\"column-2\">vas<\/td><td class=\"column-3\">peux<\/td><td class=\"column-4\">veux<\/td><td class=\"column-5\">fais<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr class=\"row-4 even\">\n\t<td class=\"column-1\">il, elle<\/td><td class=\"column-2\">va<\/td><td class=\"column-3\">peut<\/td><td class=\"column-4\">veut<\/td><td class=\"column-5\">fa<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr class=\"row-5 odd\">\n\t<td class=\"column-1\">nous<\/td><td class=\"column-2\">allons<\/td><td class=\"column-3\">pouvons<\/td><td class=\"column-4\">voulons<\/td><td class=\"column-5\">faisons<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr class=\"row-6 even\">\n\t<td class=\"column-1\">vous<\/td><td class=\"column-2\">allez<\/td><td class=\"column-3\">pouvez<\/td><td class=\"column-4\">voulez<\/td><td class=\"column-5\">faites<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr class=\"row-7 odd\">\n\t<td class=\"column-1\">ils, elles<\/td><td class=\"column-2\">vont<\/td><td class=\"column-3\">peuvent<\/td><td class=\"column-4\">veulent<\/td><td class=\"column-5\">font<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n\n<h2>Negation in the present indicative<\/h2>\n<p>And what about if you want to say something negative in the French present indicative? In this case, <strong>you need to know about <em>ne\u2026 pas<\/em><\/strong>.<\/p>\n<p>Simply position ne and pas either side of your verb in the present tense, for example:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li aria-level=\"1\"><em>Je <span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\">vais<\/span> au cin\u00e9ma<\/em> (I am going to the cinema)<\/li>\n<li aria-level=\"1\"><em>Je <strong>ne<\/strong> <span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\">vais<\/span> <strong>pas<\/strong> au cin\u00e9ma<\/em> (I am not going to the cinema)<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>Easy, <em>n\u2019est-ce pas<\/em> ?<\/p>\n<h2>The imperative in the present indicative<\/h2>\n<p>The imperative is how we give orders and instructions, such as \u201clisten!\u201d, \u201cstop!\u201d, and \u201cbe quiet!\u201d.<\/p>\n<p>To form the imperative in the French present indicative, do the following:<\/p>\n<ol>\n<li aria-level=\"1\">Take the verb in the <em>tu, nous,<\/em> or <em>vous<\/em> form, e.g. <em>tu parles <\/em>(\u201cyou speak\u201d)<\/li>\n<li aria-level=\"1\">Remove the subject, e.g. <em>parles<\/em><\/li>\n<li aria-level=\"1\">For verbs in the first group, remove the s ending, e.g. <em>parle<\/em> (\u201cspeak!)<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<h2>Revising with GlobalExam<\/h2>\n<p>French is easy if you\u2019ve got the right tools. On GlobalExam, we\u2019ve prepared a whole online platform for learning languages, where you can find an <strong>extensive set of grammar sheets, training exercises, and tests<\/strong> especially for learning French.<\/p>\n<p>Still got some<strong> unanswered questions about the French present tense<\/strong>? GlobalExam has the answers!<\/p>\n<p>More articles on French conjugation:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/global-exam.com\/blog\/en\/french-grammar-french-conjugation-all-you-need-to-know-about-verbs-and-tenses\/\">French Conjugation: All you need to know about Verbs And Tenses<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/global-exam.com\/blog\/en\/french-grammar-future\/\">French Future Tense: How Does The Conjugation Work?<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/global-exam.com\/blog\/en\/french-grammar-past-participle\/\">Past Participle Tense In French: Regular And Irregular Verbs<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/global-exam.com\/blog\/en\/french-grammar-imperfect-tense\/\">What Is The Imperfect Tense In French? Structure And Examples<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/global-exam.com\/blog\/en\/french-grammar-subjunctive\/\">Subjunctive In French:Practice The Conjugation And Phrases<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/global-exam.com\/blog\/en\/french-grammar-reflexive-verbs\/\">What Are The Reflexive Verbs in French? Worksheets And Exercises<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/global-exam.com\/blog\/en\/french-grammar-conditional-tense\/\">Conditional Tense In French: Understanding The Structure<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div><\/div><style type=\"text\/css\">.fusion-body .fusion-builder-column-2{width:100% !important;margin-top : 0px;margin-bottom : 0px;}.fusion-builder-column-2 > .fusion-column-wrapper {padding-top : 0px !important;padding-right : 0px !important;margin-right : 0px;padding-bottom : 0px !important;padding-left : 0px !important;margin-left : 0px;}@media only screen and (max-width:1024px) {.fusion-body .fusion-builder-column-2{width:100% !important;}.fusion-builder-column-2 > .fusion-column-wrapper {margin-right : 0px;margin-left : 0px;}}@media only screen and (max-width:640px) {.fusion-body .fusion-builder-column-2{width:100% !important;}.fusion-builder-column-2 > .fusion-column-wrapper {margin-right : 0px;margin-left : 0px;}}<\/style><\/div><\/div><style type=\"text\/css\">.fusion-body .fusion-flex-container.fusion-builder-row-3{ padding-top : 0px;margin-top : 0px;padding-right : 0px;padding-bottom : 0px;margin-bottom : 0px;padding-left : 0px;}<\/style><\/div><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":38400,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":[],"categories":[5413,1800,5417],"tags":[],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO plugin v17.2.1 - https:\/\/yoast.com\/wordpress\/plugins\/seo\/ -->\n<title>French Present Tense: how does the conjugation work? - GlobalExam Blog<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"Thinking about learning the French language? 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