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

Introduction to the verb branler

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The English translation of the French verb “branler” is “to shake” or “to wobble.” The infinitive form of “branler” is pronounced as [brɑ̃.le].

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The term “branler” comes from the Old French word “bran” which means “a branch” or “a small piece of wood.” In everyday French, “branler” is commonly used to describe shaking or wobbling movements, both literally and figuratively. It can also be used in colloquial language to express doubt, uncertainty, or indecision.

Here are three examples of its usage:

Il a décidé de ne pas venir, alors j’ai senti mes jambes se branler.
(He decided not to come, and I felt my legs shaking.)
Arrête de branler la table avec tes pieds !
(Stop shaking the table with your feet!)
Tu ne peux pas te permettre de branler dans ce travail, il faut te concentrer.
(You can’t afford to be indecisive in this job, you need to focus.)

Please note that the provided examples are not exhaustive and the usage of “branler” may vary depending on the context.

Branler – 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 branler

Pronoun	Conjugation	Short Example	English Translation
Je	Je branle	Je branle une balle.	I shake a ball.
Tu	Tu branles	Tu branles la table.	You shake the table.
Il	Il branle	Il branle son téléphone.	He shakes his phone.
Elle	Elle branle	Elle branle sa tête.	She shakes her head.
On	On branle	On branle le berceau.	We shake the crib.
Nous	Nous branlons	Nous branlons les branches.	We shake the branches.
Vous	Vous branlez	Vous branlez les cartes.	You shake the cards.
Ils	Ils branlent	Ils branlent les clés.	They shake the keys.
Elles	Elles branlent	Elles branlent leur café.	They shake their coffee.