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

Introduction to the verb cliver

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The English translation of the French verb “cliver” is “to split.” The infinitive form “cliver” is pronounced as “klee-vay.”

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The word “cliver” originated from the Latin word “clivus” which means “slope” or “incline.” In everyday French, it is commonly used to describe the action of splitting or dividing something, often referring to a physical or metaphorical separation.

Examples:

Les chercheurs ont réussi à cliver l’atome. (The researchers successfully split the atom.)
Les manifestations ont clivé la société en deux camps opposés. (The protests have divided society into two opposing camps.)
Le coup de marteau a clivé la bûche en deux morceaux. (The hammer blow split the log into two pieces.)

Note: The translations provided are just one possible translation for each sentence, as the context may vary.

Cliver – 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 cliver

Pronoun	Conjugation	Short Example	English Translation
Je	clive	Je clive la planche en deux.	I split the plank in half.
Tu	clives	Tu clives les cheveux en sections.	You split the hair into sections.
Il	clive	Il clive le bois avec précision.	He splits the wood with precision.
Elle	clive	Elle clive les pierres pour le jardin.	She splits the stones for the garden.
On	clive	On clive le tronc en morceaux plus petits.	One splits the trunk into smaller pieces.
Nous	clivons	Nous clivons le pain pour le partager.	We split the bread to share it.
Vous	clivez	Vous clivez les billes en deux groupes.	You split the marbles into two groups.
Ils	clivent	Ils clivent les documents en catégories.	They split the documents into categories.
Elles	clivent	Elles clivent les fleurs pour les disposer.	They split the flowers to arrange them.