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

Introduction to the verb calmer

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The English translation of the French verb “calmer” is “to calm”. The infinitive form of “calmer” is pronounced as [kal-me].

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The word “calmer” originates from the Latin word “calmare”, meaning “to make quiet”. In everyday French, it is commonly used to express the action of soothing or pacifying someone or something.

Examples of usage:

Tu devrais prendre une tasse de thé pour te calmer. (You should have a cup of tea to calm down.)
Les parents essaient de calmer leur enfant qui pleure. (The parents are trying to calm their crying child.)
La musique douce aide à calmer les nerfs. (Soft music helps to calm the nerves.)

Calmer – 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 calmer

Pronoun	Conjugation	Short Example	English Translation
je	calme	Je calme mes nerfs.	I calm my nerves.
tu	calmes	Tu calmes tes craintes.	You calm your fears.
il	calme	Il calme la situation.	He calms down the situation.
elle	calme	Elle calme son chien.	She calms her dog.
on	calme	On calme nos esprits.	One calms our minds.
nous	calmons	Nous calmons nos enfants.	We calm our children.
vous	calmez	Vous calmez vos voisins.	You calm your neighbors.
ils	calment	Ils calment leurs inquiétudes.	They calm their worries.
elles	calment	Elles calment leur colère.	They calm their anger.