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

Introduction to the verb border

Get the present tense conjugation of border. Includes a FREE downloadable reference sheet (no email required). Alternatively if you have a lot of text to check then use our free French Grammar Checker – no registration required!

The English translation of the French verb “border” is “to border” or “to edge.” The infinitive form “border” is pronounced as /bɔʁ.de/.

Table of Contents

The word “border” in French comes from the Old French word “bordure,” which was derived from the Middle Low German word “bort” meaning “edge.” In everyday French, “border” is most often used to describe the action of bordering or edging something, such as a garment, a piece of fabric, or a garden.

Three simple examples of its usage are:

J’ai bordé la couverture avec un joli ruban. (I edged the blanket with a pretty ribbon.)
Elle a bordé ses rideaux de dentelle. (She bordered her curtains with lace.)
Nous avons bordé le jardin de fleurs colorées. (We edged the garden with colorful flowers.)

Border – 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 border

Pronoun	Conjugation	Short Example	English Translation
Je	je borde	Je borde le lit.	I make the bed.
Tu	tu bordes	Tu bordes la table.	You set the table.
Il	il borde	Il borde la rivière.	He borders the river.
Elle	elle borde	Elle borde le jardin.	She borders the garden.
On	on borde	On borde la route.	One borders the road.
Nous	nous bordons	Nous bordons la plage.	We border the beach.
Vous	vous bordez	Vous bordez le chemin.	You (plural/formal) border the path.
Ils	ils bordent	Ils bordent la forêt.	They (masculine) border the forest.
Elles	elles bordent	Elles bordent la frontière.	They (feminine) border the border.