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

Introduction to the verb cercler

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The English translation of the French verb “cercler” is “to encircle.” The infinitive form “cercler” is pronounced as [sɛʀ.kle].

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Cercler originates from the Latin word “circulus” which means “circle.” In everyday French, cercler is most often used to describe the action of surrounding or encircling something or someone.

Examples:

Les enfants cerclent l’arbre avec une corde. (The children encircle the tree with a rope.)
Les manifestants ont cerclé le bâtiment pour protester. (The protesters surrounded the building to protest.)
Il faut cercler le texte en rouge pour le mettre en évidence. (You need to encircle the text in red to highlight it.)

Note: The translations provided are not word-for-word literal translations but rather convey the meaning of the sentences in English.

Cercler – 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 cercler

Pronoun	Conjugation	Short Example	English Translation
je	cerlce	Je cerclé les livres.	I circle the books.
tu	cerlces	Tu cerclés le jardin.	You circle the garden.
il	cerlce	Il cerclé le tableau.	He circles the picture.
elle	cerlce	Elle cerclé la lettre.	She circles the letter.
on	cerlce	On cerclé la salle.	One circles the room.
nous	cerclons	Nous cerclons les mots.	We circle the words.
vous	cerclez	Vous cerclez le cercle.	You circle the circle.
ils	cerclent	Ils cerclent les dessins.	They circle the drawings.
elles	cerclent	Elles cerclent les images.	They circle the images.