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

Introduction to the verb arraisonner

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The English translation of the French verb “arraisonner” is “to hail” or “to stop and board.” The pronunciation of the infinitive form “arraisonner” is [a.ʁɛ.zɔ.ne].

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Arraisonner is derived from the Old French word “raison,” meaning “reason” or “right.” Originally, it referred to the act of stopping a ship at sea to inspect its cargo or to demand payment of duties. In modern everyday French, it is often used in the context of police or legal actions, meaning to stop or intercept someone or to question them.

Examples:

Les policiers ont arraisonné le véhicule suspect. (The police hailed the suspicious vehicle.)
La douane peut arraisonner les voyageurs pour vérifier leurs bagages. (Customs can stop and board travelers to check their luggage.)
Le capitaine a été arraisonné par les autorités portuaires. (The captain was stopped and boarded by port authorities.)

Arraisonner – 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 arraisonner

Pronoun	Conjugation	Short Example	English Translation
je	arraisonne	J’arraisonne le navire.	I seize the ship.
tu	arraisonnes	Tu arraisonnes le suspect.	You seize the suspect.
il	arraisonne	Il arraisonne le camion.	He seizes the truck.
elle	arraisonne	Elle arraisonne le bateau.	She seizes the boat.
on	arraisonne	On arraisonne les contrebandiers.	One seizes the smugglers.
nous	arraisonnons	Nous arraisonnons les véhicules suspects.	We seize the suspicious vehicles.
vous	arraisonnez	Vous arraisonnez le navire ennemi.	You seize the enemy ship.
ils	arraisonnent	Ils arraisonnent les criminels.	They seize the criminals.
elles	arraisonnent	Elles arraisonnent les cargaisons illégales.	They seize the illegal cargoes.