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

Introduction to the verb citer

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The English translation of the French verb “citer” is “to quote” or “to mention.” The infinitive form of “citer” is pronounced as “see-teh.”

Table of Contents

Citer originates from the Latin verb “citare,” meaning “to summon” or “to call upon.” In everyday French, “citer” is commonly used to refer to the act of quoting or mentioning someone or something. It is often used in academic, literary, or legal contexts.

Examples:

Il a cité Shakespeare dans son discours. (He quoted Shakespeare in his speech.)
J’ai cité plusieurs sources dans mon article. (I cited several sources in my article.)
Le professeur a cité les auteurs classiques lors du cours. (The professor mentioned classical authors during the class.)

Citer – 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 citer

Pronoun	Conjugation	Short Example	English Translation
je	cite	Je cite souvent des poèmes.	I often quote poems.
tu	cites	Tu cites souvent des auteurs célèbres.	You often quote famous authors.
il	cite	Il cite des statistiques lors de sa présentation.	He quotes statistics during his presentation.
elle	cite	Elle cite des sources fiables dans son article.	She quotes reliable sources in her article.
on	cite	On cite fréquemment des études pour appuyer ses arguments.	One often quotes studies to support one’s arguments.
nous	citons	Nous citons les phrases importantes du livre.	We quote the important sentences from the book.
vous	citez	Vous citez les règles du jeu avant de commencer.	You quote the game rules before starting.
ils	citent	Ils citent des passages de la pièce de théâtre.	They quote passages from the play.
elles	citent	Elles citent des exemples concrets pour illustrer leurs propos.	They quote concrete examples to illustrate their statements.