The French Present Tense - French Grammar

French Tense

Present & Infinitive Past Future & Conditional

The French Present Tense

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In English, we often use the present progressive to describe actions that are currently in progress:

I am reading philosophy.
He is doing the dishes.
In French, however, the simple present (
le présent de l’indicatif
) is always used in these situations:
Je lis de la philosophie.
I’m reading philosophy.
Il fait la vaisselle.
He’s doing the dishes.

Using the simple present in English (“I read philosophy”) sounds formal, literary, or old-fashioned, but in French it’s completely normal and natural.

If you wish to emphasize that you are right in the middle of doing something, use the expression
être en train de
:
Je ne peux pas venir. Je suis en train de peindre ma maison.
I can’t come. I’m in the middle of painting my house.

The simple present in French can also refer to future events, especially when the time is specified:

Present for Future Actions

Je pars demain à la guerre.
I’m leaving tomorrow for the war.
Nous arrivons à Paris ce soir.
We’re arriving in Paris tonight.

In English, we would typically use the present progressive (“I’m leaving”) or even “going to,” but French simply uses the present tense.

Present for Habitual Actions and Universal Truths

Both English and French use the present tense to describe habitual actions and universal truths:

Ils rentrent à la maison vers dix-huit heures.
They come home around eight o’clock.
Elle regarde les infos tous les soirs.
She watches the news every evening.
Les Français aiment beaucoup le football.
The French love soccer very much.

Present for Past Narration or Commentary

French sometimes uses the present tense to make a story or commentary more vivid — a use known as
le présent de narration
:
Napoléon entre dans Moscou.
Napoleon enters Moscow.
Jeanne d’Arc entend des voix et décide d’aller voir le roi.
Joan of Arc hears voices and decides to go see the king.

You’ll also hear this “narrative present” in sports commentary or when recounting an event informally.

Mbappé s’avance vers le but… il tire… et il marque !
Mbappé advances towards the goal… he shoots… and he scores!
Alors, j’entre dans le café, et qui je vois ? Mon prof de maths !
Then, I enter the cafe, and who do I see? My math teacher!

Present with “depuis” (Since / For)

When talking about an action that began in the past and continues into the present, French uses the present tense with depuis, while English usually uses the present perfect:

J’habite ici depuis trois ans.
I have lived here for three years. (literally: I live here since three years)

The Infinitive

The infinitive form of a verb is not marked for tense. It is the non-conjugated form (for example, chanter, manger, aller). When two verbs occur together, the first verb is conjugated to show tense, and the second remains in the infinitive:

Elle aime chanter.
She loves to sing.
Il commence à travailler.
He is starting to work.
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