French present tense

Written by Qualified French Expert Aurélie Drouard HKH, Licence d'anglais LLCE

Last updated: 2016-05-30

Present tenses refer to the present time. French present verb forms include le Présent Indicatif, le Subjonctif Présent, and l'Impératif Présent.

For example:

• Referring to an action or state that exists at the time of speaking:
  • Je ne peux pas lui parler parce que je suis malade. 
    I cannot speak to her because I'm ill.
  • Elle te téléphone pour te demander quelque chose.
    She is phoning you to ask you something.
    
    
• Expressing timeless, generally accepted facts:
  • Les planètes tournent autour du soleil.
    The planets go around the sun. 
    
    
• Referring to habitual actions:
  
  • Je prends une douche tous les matins.
    I take a shower every morning. 

 
Related lesson: Tense