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

Introduction to the verb alentir

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The English translation of the French verb alentir is “to slow down.” The infinitive form is pronounced “ah-lawn-teer.”

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The word alentir has its roots in Latin, coming from the word “lentus” which means “slow.” In everyday French, it is most often used in the context of movement or speed, to indicate a decrease in speed.

Examples:

Nous devons alentir avant d’entrer en ville. (We need to slow down before entering the city.)
La voiture a commencé à alentir à cause du trafic. (The car started to slow down because of the traffic.)
Les années qui passent semblent alentir le rythme de ma vie. (The passing years seem to slow down the pace of my life.)

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Alentir – 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 alentir

Pronoun	Conjugation	Short Example	English Translation
Je	alentis	Je alentis mon rythme.	I slow down my pace.
Tu	alentis	Tu alentis la musique.	You slow down the music.
Il	alentit	Il alentit son vélo.	He slows down his bike.
Elle	alentit	Elle alentit la conversation.	She slows down the conversation.
On	alentit	On alentit la vitesse.	We slow down the speed.
Nous	alentissons	Nous alentissons notre travail.	We slow down our work.
Vous	alentissez	Vous alentissez la lecture.	You slow down the reading.
Ils	alentissent	Ils alentissent leur course.	They slow down their run.
Elles	alentissent	Elles alentissent leur danse.	They slow down their dance.