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

Introduction to the verb circonscrire

Get the present tense conjugation of circonscrire. Includes a FREE downloadable reference sheet (no email required). Alternatively if you have a lot of text to check then use our free French Grammar Checker – no registration required!

The English translation of the French verb circonscrire is “to circumscribe.” The infinitive form is pronounced as “seer-kon-skreer.”

Table of Contents

Circonscrire comes from the Latin word “circumscribere,” which means “to draw a line around.” It is typically used in everyday French to refer to setting limits or boundaries, both literally and figuratively.

Examples:

Il faut circonscrire le terrain pour empêcher les animaux de s’échapper. (We must circumscribe the field to prevent the animals from escaping.)
Le gouvernement a décidé de circonscrire la propagation du virus en imposant un confinement strict. (The government has decided to circumscribe the spread of the virus by imposing a strict lockdown.)
Le sujet de la dissertation était trop vaste, j’ai dû circonscrire mon analyse à quelques points précis. (The topic of the essay was too broad, so I had to circumscribe my analysis to a few specific points.)

Circonscrire – 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 circonscrire

Pronoun	Conjugation	Short Example	English Translation
je	circonscris	Je circonscris les limites du terrain.	I circumscribe the boundaries of the field.
tu	circonscris	Tu circonscris le problème.	You circumscribe the problem.
il	circonscrit	Il circonscrit la zone à risque.	He circumscribes the risk zone.
elle	circonscrit	Elle circonscrit son cercle d’amis.	She circumscribes her circle of friends.
on	circonscrit	On circonscrit le sujet de la conversation.	We circumscribe the subject of the conversation.
nous	circonscrivons	Nous circonscrivons notre budget.	We circumscribe our budget.
vous	circonscrivez	Vous circonscrivez les règles du jeu.	You circumscribe the rules of the game.
ils	circonscrivent	Ils circonscrivent les zones à éviter.	They circumscribe the areas to avoid.
elles	circonscrivent	Elles circonscrivent leurs droits.	They circumscribe their rights.