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

Introduction to the verb cadrer

Get the present tense conjugation of cadrer. 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 “cadrer” is “to frame” or “to fit.” The infinitive form “cadrer” is pronounced as [ka-dre].

Table of Contents

The word “cadrer” comes from the Latin word “quadrum,” meaning “square” or “four-sided.” In everyday French, it is commonly used in the context of photography or cinematography to refer to the action of framing or aligning a subject within a picture or scene.

Examples:

Le photographe doit cadrer le sujet pour obtenir une belle composition. (The photographer needs to frame the subject to achieve a beautiful composition.)
Ce tableau ne cadrera pas avec le reste de la décoration. (This painting won’t fit with the rest of the decor.)
J’ai dû recadrer la vidéo pour enlever les parties inutiles. (I had to crop the video to remove unnecessary parts.)

Note: The examples provided are common usages of the verb “cadrer,” but there can be variations and additional contexts in which the word is used.

Cadrer – 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 cadrer

Pronoun	Conjugation	Short Example	English Translation
Je	cadre	Je cadre mon dessin.	I frame my drawing.
Tu	cadres	Tu cadres la photo.	You frame the photo.
Il	cadre	Il cadre le tableau.	He frames the painting.
Elle	cadre	Elle cadre son diplôme.	She frames her diploma.
On	cadre	On cadre nos idées.	We frame our ideas.
Nous	cadrons	Nous cadrons la scène.	We frame the scene.
Vous	cadrez	Vous cadrez le document.	You frame the document.
Ils	cadrent	Ils cadrent les images.	They frame the pictures.
Elles	cadrent	Elles cadrent les affiches.	They frame the posters.