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

Introduction to the verb broncher

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The English translation of the French verb “broncher” is “to flinch” or “to hesitate”. The infinitive form “broncher” is pronounced as “brohn-shay”.

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The word “broncher” comes from the Old French word “bronchier” which means “to stumble” or “to trip”. In everyday French, it is often used to describe moments of hesitation, reluctance, or showing signs of discomfort or unease.

Examples:

Il a bronché lorsqu’il a vu la grosse araignée. (He flinched when he saw the big spider.)
Ne bronche pas, tout ira bien. (Don’t hesitate, everything will be fine.)
Même s’il était intimidé, il n’a pas bronché devant les critiques. (Even though he was intimidated, he didn’t flinch in the face of criticism.)

Broncher – 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 broncher

Pronoun	Conjugation	Short Example	English Translation
Je	je bronche	Je ne bronche pas.	I don’t flinch.
Tu	tu bronches	Tu bronches toujours.	You always flinch.
Il	il bronche	Il bronche devant les insectes.	He flinches at insects.
Elle	elle bronche	Elle bronche facilement.	She flinches easily.
On	on bronche	On ne bronche pas devant l’adversité.	We don’t flinch in the face of adversity.
Nous	nous bronchons	Nous bronchons ensemble.	We flinch together.
Vous	vous bronchez	Vous bronchez bruyamment.	You flinch loudly.
Ils	ils bronchent	Ils bronchent devant les films d’horreur.	They flinch at horror movies.
Elles	elles bronchent	Elles bronchent trop souvent.	They flinch too often.