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

Introduction to the verb agenouiller

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The English translation of the French verb “agenouiller” is “to kneel”. The infinitive form is pronounced as a-guh-nwee-yay.

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The word “agenouiller” originates from the Old French word “genoillier” which means “to kneel”. It is most often used in everyday French to describe the action of bending one’s knees and resting them on the ground.

Examples:

Je m’agenouille pour prier tous les soirs. (I kneel down to pray every evening.)
Les manifestants se sont agenouillés pour exprimer leur solidarité. (The protesters knelt down to express their solidarity.)
Le chevalier s’est agenouillé devant la reine pour lui prêter serment. (The knight kneeled before the queen to swear allegiance.)

Note: Please keep in mind that the pronunciation provided is an approximation and may vary slightly depending on the speaker’s accent or dialect.

Agenouiller – 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 agenouiller

Pronoun	Conjugation	Short Example	English Translation
je	m’agenouille	Je m’agenouille devant l’autel.	I kneel down in front of the altar.
tu	t’agenouilles	Tu t’agenouilles pour ramasser ta clé.	You kneel down to pick up your key.
il	s’agenouille	Il s’agenouille pour proposer.	He kneels down to propose.
elle	s’agenouille	Elle s’agenouille pour prier.	She kneels down to pray.
on	s’agenouille	On s’agenouille pour montrer son respect.	One kneels down to show respect.
nous	nous agenouillons	Nous nous agenouillons pour méditer.	We kneel down to meditate.
vous	vous agenouillez	Vous vous agenouillez pour saluer.	You kneel down to greet.
ils	s’agenouillent	Ils s’agenouillent pour ramasser les pièces.	They kneel down to pick up the coins.
elles	s’agenouillent	Elles s’agenouillent pour admirer les fleurs.	They (feminine) kneel down to admire the flowers.