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

Introduction to the verb ceindre

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The English translation of the French verb ceindre is “to surround” or “to encircle.” It is pronounced as “senth-druh” in the infinitive form.

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The origin of the word ceindre can be traced back to the Latin word “cingere,” meaning “to gird” or “to surround.” In everyday French, it is often used in the figurative sense to describe enclosing or encompassing something or someone.

Examples:

Le roi a ceint sa couronne sur sa tête. (The king placed his crown upon his head.)
La ville est ceinte de remparts. (The city is surrounded by ramparts.)
Le chanteur a ceint le public de son énergie. (The singer enveloped the audience with his energy.)

[English translations are provided for each example.]

Ceindre – 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 ceindre

Pronoun	Conjugation	Short Example	English Translation
je	ceins	Je ceins ma taille	I cinch my waist
tu	ceins	Tu ceins ta robe	You cinch your dress
il	ceint	Il ceint son épée	He cinches his sword
elle	ceint	Elle ceint sa ceinture	She cinches her belt
on	ceint	On ceint la taille	We cinch the waist
nous	ceignons	Nous ceignons nos épées	We cinch our swords
vous	ceignez	Vous ceignez vos bagages	You cinch your luggage
ils	ceignent	Ils ceignent leur taille	They cinch their waist
elles	ceignent	Elles ceignent leurs cheveux	They cinch their hair