Le Present (Present Tense) Conjugation of the French Verb aborder

Introduction to the verb aborder

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The English translation of the French verb “aborder” is “to approach.” The infinitive form “aborder” is pronounced as “ah-bohr-day.”

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The word “aborder” originated from the Old French word “aborder” which means “to put into port.” In everyday French, it is most often used to indicate the act of approaching or addressing someone or something.

Examples:

J’ai abordé mon voisin pour lui demander de baisser le volume de sa musique.
(I approached my neighbor to ask him to lower the volume of his music.)
Les étudiants ont abordé le sujet de l’environnement pendant le cours de sciences.
(The students addressed the topic of the environment during the science class.)
Le livre aborde différentes techniques de méditation.
(The book covers various meditation techniques.)

Aborder – About the French Present Tense

The French present tense, also known as “le présent,” is used to describe actions that are happening at the moment of speaking or for actions that are habitual, general truths, or that will occur in the near future. It’s the most basic and common tense in French.

To take a deep dive into all the French tenses then see our article on Mastering French Tense Conjugation.

Common Everyday Usage Patterns For Le Present

1. Describing Actions in the Present: The present tense is used to describe actions happening right now or at the moment of speaking. For example: “Je parle avec mon ami” (I am talking to my friend).

2. Expressing Habits and Routines: The present tense is used to talk about habitual actions or routines. For example: “Je travaille tous les jours” (I work every day).

3. Stating General Truths: The present tense is used to express general truths or facts. For example: “La Terre tourne autour du soleil” (The Earth orbits around the sun).

4. Talking about Near Future: The present tense can be used to express future actions that are very imminent or part of a planned schedule. For example: “Je pars demain matin” (I am leaving tomorrow morning).

Interactions with Other Tenses

– Present vs. Future Tense: In some cases, the French present tense can be used to express the future when the context makes it clear that the action is imminent. However, for actions further in the future or less certain, the future tense is typically used.

– Present vs. Past Tenses: To describe actions that occurred in the past, you would use the past tenses like the passé composé (compound past) or the imparfait (imperfect). The choice between these past tenses depends on the specific aspect and circumstances of the past action.

– Present vs. Conditional Tense: The conditional tense is used to express actions that are dependent on a condition. If a condition is met, the action may happen. The present tense is used for actions in the present, while the conditional is used for hypothetical or future actions based on conditions.

– Present vs. Imperative: The imperative mood is used to give commands or make requests. The present tense is used for general statements, and the imperative is used for direct orders or requests.

Understanding the French present tense and its interactions with other tenses is crucial for effective communication in French. Without it, you cannot become proficient!

Table of the Present Tense Conjugation of aborder

Pronoun	Conjugation	Short Example	English Translation
je	j’aborde	J’aborde les sujets délicats.	I approach sensitive subjects.
tu	tu abordes	Tu abordes toujours de nouveaux sujets.	You always bring up new topics.
il	il aborde	Il aborde des questions complexes.	He addresses complex issues.
elle	elle aborde	Elle aborde les problèmes avec diplomatie.	She tackles problems diplomatically.
on	on aborde	On aborde différentes thématiques.	We approach various themes.
nous	nous abordons	Nous abordons la situation avec prudence.	We approach the situation with caution.
vous	vous abordez	Vous abordez les problèmes de front.	You confront problems head-on.
ils	ils abordent	Ils abordent les sujets tabous.	They broach taboo subjects.
elles	elles abordent	Elles abordent les questions politiques.	They address political issues.