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The Present Participle in French

In French, the present participle is a verb form that always ends in -ant. It's similar to the English "-ing" form! For example, when we say "walking" in English, we say "marchant" in French. It's very useful for describing what someone is doing or describing things.

1. How to Form the Present Participle

The Simple Rule

It's easy! Take the "nous" form in present tense and change -ons to -ant

  • parler : nous parlons → parlant
  • finir : nous finissons → finissant
  • vendre : nous vendons → vendant

The Three Special Verbs

Watch out! These three verbs are different:

  • être → étant
  • avoir → ayant
  • savoir → sachant

2. How to Use the Present Participle

💡 There are two main ways to use the present participle:
  1. As a Verb (never changes form)
    • To replace "qui + verb"
    • To explain why something happens
    • To describe two simultaneous actions
  2. As an Adjective (changes to match the noun)
    • To describe something or someone
    • To express how something or someone is

A. Using it as a Verb

To Replace "qui + verb"

It's a more elegant way to speak:

  • Je vois des enfants jouant dans le parc = Je vois des enfants qui jouent dans le parc
  • La dame parlant au téléphone est ma tante = La dame qui parle au téléphone est ma tante
  • J'ai un ami habitant à Paris = J'ai un ami qui habite à Paris

To Express Why Something Happens

It's like saying "because" or "since":

  • Ayant mal à la tête, je suis rentré = Since I had a headache, I went home
  • Ne sachant pas la réponse, j'ai demandé à mon prof = Because I didn't know the answer, I asked my teacher
  • Étant en retard, elle a pris un taxi = Since she was late, she took a taxi

To Describe Simultaneous Actions

We often add "en" before the present participle:

  • Il mange en regardant la télé = He watches TV while eating
  • Elle écoute de la musique en travaillant = She listens to music while working
  • Il parle en souriant = He talks while smiling

B. The "en + present participle" Form

This is called the gerund

We use it to express:

  • How something is done:
    Il est parti en courant
  • Two simultaneous actions:
    Elle lit en mangeant
  • How to do something:
    On apprend en pratiquant

C. Using it as an Adjective

💡 Important to know:

  • It describes how something is
  • It changes to match the noun (masculine/feminine, singular/plural)
  • It usually comes after the noun

Examples

For Masculine Words

  • Un film intéressant
  • Des jeux intéressants

For Feminine Words

  • Une histoire intéressante
  • Des activités intéressantes

3. Special Cases to Know

Words That Are Spelled Differently

Some words change slightly when used as adjectives:

As a Verb

  • fatiguant
  • différant

As an Adjective

  • fatigant
  • différent

How to Know Which One to Use?

It's a verb when:

  1. It describes an ongoing action
  2. You can replace it with "qui + verb"

Les enfants fatiguant leurs parents... (= qui fatiguent)

It's an adjective when:

  1. It describes something
  2. You can put "très" (very) in front of it
  3. It changes to match the noun

Un exercice très fatigant

4. Practical Tips

💡 To use the present participle effectively:
  1. In Formal Writing (like official letters)
    • Use the present participle for elegance
    • For example: "Les personnes habitant à Paris..."
  2. In Speech or Messages
    • It's simpler to use "qui + verb"
    • For example: "Les personnes qui habitent à Paris..."
  3. Remember
    • As an adjective, it must match the noun
    • Some words have different spellings as adjectives
    • If it's too complex, use "qui + verb"!

Exercises - The Present Participle

A. Forming the Present Participle

Form the present participle of the following verbs.

1.Form the present participle: 'manger' (nous mangeons)

2.Form the present participle: 'finir' (nous finissons)

3.Form the present participle: 'lire' (nous lisons)

4.Which of these present participles is correct?

5.Form the present participle: 'dormir' (nous dormons)

B. How to Use It

Choose the correct use of the present participle.

1.How to say 'The girl who lives in Paris'?

2.How to say 'Because I was tired'?

3.Which sentence is correct?

4.How to say 'She learns by practicing'?

5.Which sentence uses the present participle correctly?

C. Verb or Adjective?

Is the underlined word a present participle (verb) or a verbal adjective?

1.Cette histoire est très intéressante.

2.Je vois une fille portant un sac rouge.

3.C'est un film fatigant.

4.Ayant fini ses devoirs, il est sorti.

5.Les exercices sont amusants.

D. Complete with the Correct Form

Complete the sentences with the present participle or gerund.

1. Je vois Marie la rue. (traverser)

2. Il apprend le français des films. (regarder)

3. malade, je reste au lit. (être)

4. Elle chante . (danser)

5. Les personnes ici sont sympathiques. (habiter)

E. Real-Life Situations

Choose the best way to express these situations in French.

1.You want to say that you saw someone while they were walking down the street.

2.You're explaining to a friend how you learn French. Which sentence is correct?

3.You didn't go to the party because you were sick.

4.The movie you watched yesterday was interesting.

5.You're listening to music while working.