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

Introduction to the verb ciseler

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The English translation of the French verb “ciseler” is “to chisel”. The infinitive form “ciseler” is pronounced as see-zuh-leh.

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The word “ciseler” comes from the Latin word “caesellare,” which means “to engrave.” In everyday French, “ciseler” is most often used to describe the action of finely carving or sculpting something, usually with a tool like a chisel or a knife. It can also be used metaphorically to describe the act of carefully crafting or refining something, such as a piece of writing.

Examples of usage:

Je vais ciseler ce morceau de bois pour en faire une sculpture. (I am going to chisel this piece of wood to make a sculpture.)
Il a cisélé son discours pour le rendre plus persuasif. (He finely crafted his speech to make it more persuasive.)
La chef pâtissière cisèle les détails de ses gâteaux avec précision. (The pastry chef meticulously carves the details of her cakes.)

Please note that the translations provided are not word-for-word, but rather convey the meaning of the sentences in English.

Ciseler – 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 ciseler

Pronoun	Conjugation	Short Example	English Translation
je	cisèle	Je cisèle la sculpture.	I chisel the sculpture.
tu	cisèles	Tu cisèles la statue.	You chisel the statue.
il	cisèle	Il cisèle le bijou.	He chisels the jewel.
elle	cisèle	Elle cisèle le métal.	She chisels the metal.
on	cisèle	On cisèle le bois.	One chisels the wood.
nous	ciselons	Nous ciselons l’argile.	We chisel the clay.
vous	ciselez	Vous ciselez la pierre.	You chisel the stone.
ils	cisèlent	Ils cisèlent le marbre.	They chisel the marble.
elles	cisèlent	Elles cisèlent le cuivre.	They chisel the copper.