Present Participle: Express Simultaneous Actions

The present participle (or participe présent in French) is a verb form that is often used to express simultaneous actions. It is formed by adding the suffix -ant to the stem of the verb.

Formation of the Present Participle

To form the present participle, follow these guidelines:

1. For regular -er verbs, remove the -er ending from the infinitive form and add -ant.

   • Example: parler (to speak) becomes parlant (speaking).

2. For regular -ir and -re verbs, remove the -ir or -re ending from the infinitive form and add -issant.

   • Example: finir (to finish) becomes finissant (finishing).
   • Example: attendre (to wait) becomes attendant (waiting).

Note: There are some irregular verbs that have unique forms for the present participle. These verbs should be memorized individually.

Usage of the Present Participle

The present participle is used to express simultaneous actions or actions that are happening at the same time. It can be used in various ways:

1. As a verb form:

   • Example: Elle marche en chantant (She walks while singing).

2. As an adjective:

   • Example: Les enfants excités jouent dans la cour (The excited children are playing in the courtyard).
   • Example: La pluie tombante m'a mouillé (The falling rain wetted me).

3. After certain prepositions:

   • Example: En mangeant, il a répondu à mes questions (While eating, he answered my questions).

4. In compound tenses:

   • Example: Ayant fini ses devoirs, il est sorti avec ses amis (Having finished his homework, he went out with his friends).

Agreement of the Present Participle

In compound tenses, the present participle must agree in gender and number with the subject when it is used as a verb form. However, when used as an adjective, the present participle agrees with the noun it modifies.

• Agreement with the subject:

  • Example: Les femmes marchant dans la rue sont élégantes (The women walking in the street are elegant).
  • Example: Les enfants jouant dans le parc sont joyeux (The children playing in the park are happy).

• Agreement with the noun:

  • Example: Les plantes fleurissantes sont magnifiques (The blooming plants are beautiful).
  • Example: Les feuilles tombantes de l'arbre couvrent le sol (The falling leaves of the tree cover the ground).

Note: Irregular verbs may have unique forms for the present participle agreement. Pay attention to these irregularities when using the present participle.

Summary

• The present participle is formed by adding -ant to the stem of the verb.
• It is used to express simultaneous actions or actions happening at the same time.
• The present participle can function as a verb form or an adjective.
• In compound tenses, it must agree in gender and number with the subject when used as a verb form, and with the noun when used as an adjective.