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

Introduction to the verb avoyer

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The English translation of the French verb “avoyer” is “to send (a dog) after (someone/something).” The infinitive form of avoyer is pronounced as “ah-vwah-yey.”

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The verb avoyer comes from the Old French word “avoier,” which means “to send off,” derived from the Latin word “abviare,” meaning “to send away.” In everyday French, avoyer is most commonly used in the context of hunting, specifically when commanding a hunting dog to chase or pursue a target.

Example 1: J’ai avoyé mon chien après le lapin. (I sent my dog after the rabbit.)
Example 2: Il avoie ses chiens pour traquer les sangliers. (He sends his dogs to track wild boars.)
Example 3: Les chasseurs avoient leurs lévriers lors de la battue. (The hunters sent their greyhounds during the beat.)

Note: The verb “avoyer” is not widely used in modern French and is primarily encountered in specific hunting contexts.

Avoyer – 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 avoyer

Pronoun	Conjugation	Short Example	English Translation
je	j’avoie	J’avoie un chien.	I have a dog.
tu	tu avoies	Tu avoies une maison.	You have a house.
il	il avoie	Il avoie beaucoup d’argent.	He has a lot of money.
elle	elle avoie	Elle avoie un problème.	She has a problem.
on	on avoie	On avoie du temps libre.	We have free time.
nous	nous avoyons	Nous avoyons une voiture.	We have a car.
vous	vous avoyez	Vous avoyez des enfants.	You have children.
ils	ils avoient	Ils avoient des livres.	They have books.
elles	elles avoient	Elles avoient des fleurs.	They have flowers.