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

Introduction to the verb accourcir

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The English translation of the French verb accourcir is “to shorten.” It is pronounced “ah-koor-seer” in its infinitive form.

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The word accourcir comes from the Old French word “acurcir,” which is derived from the Latin word “accurtus” meaning “to make short.” In every day French, accourcir is most often used to refer to reducing the length or duration of something.

Examples:

Je dois accourcir ma robe pour qu’elle ne traine pas par terre. – I need to shorten my dress so it doesn’t drag on the ground.
Ils ont décidé d’accourcir leur voyage pour économiser de l’argent. – They decided to shorten their trip to save money.
J’ai accourci mon discours pour qu’il ne dépasse pas le temps imparti. – I shortened my speech so it wouldn’t go over the allotted time.

Accourcir – 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 accourcir

Pronoun	Conjugation	Short Example	English Translation
Je	J’accourcis	Je l’accourcis toujours.	I always shorten it.
Tu	Tu accourcis	Tu l’accourcis sans hésitation.	You shorten it without hesitation.
Il	Il accourcit	Il l’accourcit pour le rendre plus facile.	He shortens it to make it easier.
Elle	Elle accourcit	Elle l’accourcit pour l’adapter à son style.	She shortens it to fit her style.
On	On accourcit	On l’accourcit pour des raisons pratiques.	We shorten it for practical reasons.
Nous	Nous accourcissons	Nous l’accourcissons ensemble.	We shorten it together.
Vous	Vous accourcissez	Vous l’accourcissez pour mieux le comprendre.	You shorten it to better understand it.
Ils	Ils accourcissent	Ils l’accourcissent pour le rendre plus lisible.	They shorten it to make it more readable.
Elles	Elles accourcissent	Elles l’accourcissent pour le partager sur les réseaux sociaux.	They shorten it to share it on social media.