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

Introduction to the verb bâillonner

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The English translation of the French verb “bâillonner” is “to gag” or “to muzzle.” The infinitive form “bâillonner” is pronounced as “bah-yo-nay.”

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The word “bâillonner” comes from the French noun “bâillon,” meaning “gag,” and the suffix “-er,” which is commonly used to form verbs. In everyday French, “bâillonner” is most often used figuratively to mean silencing or suppressing someone or something.

Examples of usage:

Les autorités ont bâillonné la presse. (The authorities gagged the press.)
Elle a été bâillonnée pour l’empêcher de parler. (She was muzzled to prevent her from speaking.)
Les manifestants ont été bâillonnés par la violence policière. (The protesters were silenced by police violence.)

Bâillonner – 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 bâillonner

Pronoun	Conjugation	Short Example	English Translation
je	bâillonne	Je bâillonne les témoins.	I gag the witnesses.
tu	bâillonnes	Tu bâillonnes ton frère.	You gag your brother.
il	bâillonne	Il bâillonne le suspect.	He gags the suspect.
elle	bâillonne	Elle bâillonne la victime.	She gags the victim.
on	bâillonne	On bâillonne les prisonniers.	We gag the prisoners.
nous	bâillonnons	Nous bâillonnons les opposants.	We gag the opponents.
vous	bâillonnez	Vous bâillonnez ces personnes.	You gag these people.
ils	bâillonnent	Ils bâillonnent les manifestants.	They gag the protesters.
elles	bâillonnent	Elles bâillonnent les journalistes.	They gag the journalists.