Key points about using the present participle in French
The The present participle in English ends in -ing, such as ‘singing’ and ‘walking’. In French the present participle ends in '-ant', and is usually preceded by ‘en’. translates as '-ing' in English, and can be used as a A word used to describe an action or state of being. or an adjective.
It is usually used with the preposition en, which is translated as 'while', 'on' or 'by'.
What is the present participle?
The present participle is a word formed from a verb. The English translation of the present participle ends in -ing. It can be used as a verb or as an adjective.
Forming the present participle
To form the present participle, take the nous form of the present tense. Remove the -ons and replace it with -ant. For example:
Jouer means ‘to play’, and ‘we play’ is nous jouons.
The present participle is therefore jouant. (playing)
Choisir means ‘to choose’, and ‘we choose’ is nous choisissons.
The present participle is choisissant. (choosing)
Entendre means ‘to hear’, and ‘we hear’ is nous entendons.
The present participle is entendant. (hearing)
Other important verbs (often referred to as ‘anchor verbs’) follow the same pattern:
| Infinitive | ‘We’ form | Present participle |
|---|---|---|
| Check your connection, refresh the page and try again. (to leave) | nous partons | Check your connection, refresh the page and try again. (leaving) |
| Check your connection, refresh the page and try again. (to come) | nous venons | Check your connection, refresh the page and try again. (coming) |
| Check your connection, refresh the page and try again. (to open) | nous ouvrons | Check your connection, refresh the page and try again. (opening) |
| Check your connection, refresh the page and try again. (to take) | nous prenons | Check your connection, refresh the page and try again. (taking) |
| Check your connection, refresh the page and try again. (to translate) | nous traduisons | Check your connection, refresh the page and try again. (translating) |
| Check your connection, refresh the page and try again. (to write) | nous écrivons | Check your connection, refresh the page and try again. (writing) |
| Check your connection, refresh the page and try again. (to know a person) | nous connaissons | Check your connection, refresh the page and try again. (knowing) |
| Check your connection, refresh the page and try again. (to do/make) | nous faisons | Check your connection, refresh the page and try again. (doing/making) |
Almost all present participles follow this pattern. However, être (to be) and avoir (to have) do not:
être → Check your connection, refresh the page and try again..
avoir → Check your connection, refresh the page and try again..
Using the present participle
The present participle is used with the preposition en (while, on, by) to show an action that happens at the same time as the main action of the sentence.
For example:
Il parle en travaillant. – He talks while working.
En entrant dans la cuisine je vois le chien. – On entering the kitchen I see the dog.
J’apprends la danse en regardant des vidéos. – I learn the dance by watching videos.
Some adjectives are present participles. For example:
The verb amuser (to enjoy) gives the adjective amusant (fun).
The verb inquiéter (to worry) gives the adjective inquiétant (worrying).
Remember
Just as with any other adjective, these adjectives have to agree with the noun that they describe.
For example:
Le jour suivant – The following day
La personne suivante – The following person
The present participle - Mini quiz
Complete the following sentence, using the verb descendre (to go down):
____ ______ l’escalier, nous entendons un bruit. (While going down the stairs we hear a noise.)
En descendant l’escalier, nous entendons un bruit.
Higher Tier - Quiz - Using the present participle
Practise what you've learned about using the present participle with this Higher Tier quiz.
Now you’ve learned about using the present participle, why not explore the perfect tense with 'avoir'?
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