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

Introduction to the verb affoler

Get the present tense conjugation of affoler. Includes a FREE downloadable reference sheet (no email required). Alternatively if you have a lot of text to check then use our free French Grammar Checker – no registration required!

The English translation of the French verb “affoler” is “to panic” or “to drive crazy.” The infinitive form “affoler” is pronounced as [a-fo-le].

Table of Contents

“Affoler” originates from the French word “fol” meaning “mad” or “crazy.” It is most often used in everyday French to express a state of panic, agitation, or extreme excitement.

Examples:

Elle s’est affolée en voyant le serpent dans son jardin. (She panicked when she saw the snake in her garden.)
Les nouvelles mesures sanitaires ont affolé la population. (The new sanitary measures drove the population crazy.)
Ne t’affole pas, tout va bien se passer. (Don’t panic, everything will be fine.)

Affoler – 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 affoler

Pronoun	Conjugation	Short Example	English Translation
Je	affole	J’affole mes amis avec mes blagues.	I drive my friends crazy with my jokes.
Tu	affoles	Tu m’affoles avec ton sourire.	You drive me crazy with your smile.
Il	affole	Il affole les foules avec sa musique.	He drives the crowds crazy with his music.
Elle	affole	Elle m’affole avec sa beauté.	She drives me crazy with her beauty.
On	affole	On affole tout le monde avec nos danses.	We drive everyone crazy with our dancing.
Nous	affolons	Nous affolons nos adversaires avec notre rapidité.	We drive our opponents crazy with our speed.
Vous	affolez	Vous m’affolez avec vos compliments.	You drive me crazy with your compliments.
Ils	affolent	Ils affolent les spectateurs avec leurs acrobaties.	They drive the audience crazy with their acrobatics.
Elles	affolent	Elles m’affolent avec leurs regards.	They drive me crazy with their gazes.