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

Introduction to the verb caler

Get the present tense conjugation of caler. 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 “caler” is “to stall” or “to run out of gas.” The infinitive form of “caler” is pronounced as kah-leh.

Table of Contents

The verb “caler” comes from the Old French word “cahaler”, which originally referred to the act of stopping a horse by pulling back on the reins. In everyday French, “caler” is commonly used to describe a vehicle’s engine stalling or running out of gas.

Examples:

Mon moteur a calé en plein milieu de la route. (My engine stalled right in the middle of the road.)
Ne t’inquiète pas si la voiture cale, ça arrive parfois. (Don’t worry if the car stalls, it happens sometimes.)
J’ai calé devant la station-service, je suis tombé en panne sèche. (I ran out of gas in front of the gas station, I ran out of fuel.)

Caler – 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 caler

Pronoun	Conjugation	Short Example	English Translation
je	cale	Je cale ma voiture.	I stall my car.
tu	cales	Tu cales souvent.	You stall often.
il	cale	Il cale le moteur.	He stalls the engine.
elle	cale	Elle cale à chaque démarrage.	She stalls with every start.
on	cale	On cale facilement sur cette côte.	One stalls easily on this hill.
nous	calons	Nous calons la machine.	We stall the machine.
vous	calez	Vous calez régulièrement.	You stall regularly.
ils	calent	Ils calent le camion.	They stall the truck.
elles	calent	Elles calent leur scooter.	They stall their scooter.