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

Introduction to the verb commémorer

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The English translation of the French verb “commémorer” is “to commemorate.” The infinitive form “commémorer” is pronounced as /kɔ.me.mɔ.ʁe/.

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The word “commémorer” has Latin origins and is derived from the Latin word “commemorare,” meaning “to remind” or “to remember.” In everyday French, “commémorer” is primarily used to express the act of commemorating or celebrating an event, person, or historical milestone. It is often used in the context of memorial services, anniversaries, or remembrance ceremonies.

Examples:

Nous allons commémorer le centenaire de la Première Guerre mondiale. (We are going to commemorate the centenary of the First World War.)
Chaque année, la nation commémore la fête nationale. (Every year, the nation commemorates the national holiday.)
Ils ont organisé une cérémonie pour commémorer la mémoire des victimes. (They organized a ceremony to commemorate the memory of the victims.)

Commémorer – 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 commémorer

Pronoun	Conjugation	Short Example	English Translation
je	commémore	Je commémore la victoire.	I commemorate the victory.
tu	commémores	Tu commémores cet événement.	You commemorate this event.
il	commémore	Il commémore la mémoire de son grand-père.	He commemorates the memory of his grandfather.
elle	commémore	Elle commémore la naissance de sa fille.	She commemorates the birth of her daughter.
on	commémore	On commémore la Journée mondiale de la paix.	One commemorates World Peace Day.
nous	commémorons	Nous commémorons les soldats tombés au combat.	We commemorate the soldiers who fell in battle.
vous	commémorez	Vous commémorez les anniversaires avec vos proches.	You commemorate birthdays with your loved ones.
ils	commémorent	Ils commémorent les événements historiques.	They commemorate historical events.
elles	commémorent	Elles commémorent les réussites des femmes.	They commemorate the achievements of women.