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

Introduction to the verb accoter

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The English translation of the French verb “accoter” is “to lean against.” The infinitive form “accoter” is pronounced as “ah-koh-teh.”

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The verb “accoter” has a Latin origin, derived from the word “accolitare,” meaning “to surround.”

In everyday French, “accoter” is commonly used to describe the action of leaning or resting against something for support or comfort.

Examples:

Je me suis accoté(e) contre le mur. (I leaned against the wall.)
Il s’accote sur la rambarde pour se reposer. (He leans against the railing to rest.)
Nous nous sommes accotés sur l’arbre pour discuter. (We leaned against the tree to chat.)

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Accoter – 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 accoter

Pronoun	Conjugation	Short Example	English Translation
Je	accote	J’accote ma tête sur mon bras.	I lean my head on my arm.
Tu	accotes	Tu accotes ton vélo contre le mur.	You lean your bike against the wall.
Il	accote	Il accote son épaule contre le mien.	He leans his shoulder against mine.
Elle	accote	Elle accote sa tête sur mon épaule.	She leans her head on my shoulder.
On	accote	On accote notre sac à dos contre le banc.	We lean our backpack against the bench.
Nous	accotons	Nous accotons nos vélos l’un contre l’autre.	We lean our bikes against each other.
Vous	accotez	Vous accotez votre chaise contre la table.	You lean your chair against the table.
Ils	accotent	Ils accotent leurs coudes sur la table.	They lean their elbows on the table.
Elles	accotent	Elles accotent leurs têtes l’une contre l’autre.	They lean their heads against each other.