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

Introduction to the verb bredouiller

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The English translation of the French verb bredouiller is “to mumble” or “to stammer.” The infinitive form, “bredouiller,” is pronounced as [bruh-doo-yay].

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Bredouiller originates from the French word “bredouil,” which means “to mumble” or “to babble.” It is most often used in everyday French to describe the act of speaking in an unclear or hesitant manner, often due to nervousness, confusion, or lack of confidence.

Examples of usage:

Il bredouille toujours lorsqu’il doit parler en public.
Translation: He always mumbles when he has to speak in public.
Arrête de bredouiller et parle clairement !
Translation: Stop mumbling and speak clearly!
Elle bredouille des excuses incompréhensibles pour justifier son retard.
Translation: She mumbles incomprehensible excuses to justify her lateness.

Bredouiller – 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 bredouiller

Pronoun	Conjugation	Short Example	English Translation
Je	bredouille	Je bredouille souvent.	I often stumble over my words.
Tu	bredouilles	Tu bredouilles ton texte.	You stumble over your text.
Il	bredouille	Il bredouille des excuses.	He stumbles over excuses.
Elle	bredouille	Elle bredouille sa réponse.	She stumbles over her answer.
On	bredouille	On bredouille en public.	One stumbles in public.
Nous	bredouillons	Nous bredouillons nos présentations.	We stumble over our presentations.
Vous	bredouillez	Vous bredouillez vos mots.	You stumble over your words.
Ils	bredouillent	Ils bredouillent leurs discours.	They stumble over their speeches.
Elles	bredouillent	Elles bredouillent leurs répliques.	They stumble over their lines.