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

Introduction to the verb coincer

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The English translation of the French verb “coincer” is “to get stuck” or “to trap.” The infinitive form of “coincer” is pronounced as “kwah(n)-seh.”

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The word “coincer” comes from the Old French word “coincier,” which means “to wedge” or “to jam.” In everyday French, “coincer” is commonly used to describe situations where something gets stuck or trapped physically or metaphorically.

Three simple examples of its usage are:

Je me suis coincé les doigts dans la porte. (I got my fingers stuck in the door.)
Le camion est coincé dans la boue. (The truck is trapped in the mud.)
Il essaie de parler, mais les mots semblent coincés dans sa gorge. (He’s trying to speak, but the words seem stuck in his throat.)

Coincer – 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 coincer

Pronoun	Conjugation	Short Example	English Translation
Je	coince	Je coince ma clé dans la serrure.	I get my key stuck in the lock.
Tu	coinces	Tu coinces toujours dans les mêmes problèmes.	You always get stuck in the same problems.
Il	coince	Il coince sa main dans la porte.	He gets his hand stuck in the door.
Elle	coince	Elle coince son pull dans la fermeture éclair.	She gets her sweater stuck in the zipper.
On	coince	On coince souvent dans les embouteillages.	We often get stuck in traffic.
Nous	coincions	Nous coincions le tuyau avec un morceau de scotch.	We are getting the pipe stuck with a piece of tape.
Vous	coincez	Vous coincez le papier dans le classeur.	You get the paper stuck in the binder.
Ils	coincent	Ils coincent la porte pour qu’elle ne se ferme pas.	They get the door stuck so it doesn’t close.
Elles	coincent	Elles coincent leurs cheveux dans le fer à lisser.	They get their hair stuck in the straightening iron.