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

Introduction to the verb caver

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The English translation of the French verb “caver” is “to collapse” or “to cave in.” The infinitive form of “caver” is pronounced as “kah-vay.”

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The word “caver” comes from the Latin word “cavare,” which means “to hollow out” or “to dig.” In everyday French, “caver” is most often used to describe the action of something collapsing or cave in.

Here are three simple examples of its usage with their respective English translations:

La route a cédé sous le poids des inondations.
Translation: The road collapsed under the weight of the floods.
Le toit de la vieille maison a cédé après la tempête.
Translation: The roof of the old house caved in after the storm.
Attention, ce plafond peut caver à tout moment !
Translation: Be careful, this ceiling can collapse at any moment!

Caver – 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 caver

Pronoun	Conjugation	Short Example	English Translation
Je	cave	Je cave dans la forêt.	I explore in the forest.
Tu	caves	Tu caves avec moi.	You explore with me.
Il	cave	Il cave dans les grottes.	He explores in the caves.
Elle	cave	Elle cave dans les montagnes.	She explores in the mountains.
On	cave	On cave dans les souterrains.	One explores in the underground.
Nous	cavons	Nous cavons ensemble.	We explore together.
Vous	cavez	Vous cavez en équipe.	You explore as a team.
Ils	caven	Ils caven dans les cavernes.	They (masculine) explore in the caverns.
Elles	caven	Elles caven au fond des océans.	They (feminine) explore in the depths of the oceans.