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

Introduction to the verb canarder

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The English translation of the French verb “canarder” is “to shell” or “to bombard.” The infinitive form “canarder” is pronounced as “kah-nahr-deh.”

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The word “canarder” originated from the noun “canard,” meaning “duck.” It is most often used in everyday French to describe the action of bombarding or shelling something, typically with artillery or gunfire.

Examples of usage:

Les soldats ont canardé la ligne de front toute la nuit.
(The soldiers shelled the front line all night.)
Les manifestants ont canardé le bâtiment avec des pierres.
(The protesters bombarded the building with stones.)
Les avions de chasse ont canardé les positions ennemies.
(The fighter jets shelled the enemy positions.)

Please note that “canarder” can also be used figuratively to mean “to criticize severely” or “to attack verbally,” but these examples refer to its literal meaning of bombardment.

Canarder – 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 canarder

Pronoun	Conjugation	Short Example	English Translation
Je	canarde	Je canarde la cible.	I bombard the target.
Tu	canardes	Tu canardes le bâtiment.	You bombard the building.
Il	canarde	Il canarde l’ennemi.	He bombards the enemy.
Elle	canarde	Elle canarde la zone.	She bombards the area.
On	canarde	On canarde les positions.	One bombards the positions.
Nous	canardons	Nous canardons le navire.	We bombard the ship.
Vous	canardez	Vous canardez les troupes.	You bombard the troops.
Ils	canardent	Ils canardent les fortifications.	They bombard the fortifications.
Elles	canardent	Elles canardent les villes.	They bombard the cities.