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

Introduction to the verb conserver

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to conserve, to preserve
pronunciation: kawn-ser-vay

Table of Contents

Origin: The verb “conserver” comes from the Old French word “conserver” which is derived from the Latin word “conservare,” meaning “to preserve, to maintain.”

Usage: In everyday French, “conserver” is used to express the action of conserving or preserving something, whether it’s food, objects, or ideas.

Examples:

Je conserve les fruits au réfrigérateur. (I preserve the fruits in the refrigerator.)
Nous devons conserver les traditions familiales. (We must preserve the family traditions.)
Il faut conserver ce précieux document. (We must conserve this precious document.)

Conserver – 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 conserver

Pronoun	Conjugation	Short Example	English Translation
Je	conserve	Je conserve mes souvenirs.	I preserve my memories.
Tu	conserves	Tu conserves les fruits.	You (singular) preserve the fruits.
Il	conserve	Il conserve la nourriture.	He preserves the food.
Elle	conserve	Elle conserve les documents.	She preserves the documents.
On	conserve	On conserve les traditions.	One preserves the traditions.
Nous	conservons	Nous conservons nos habitudes.	We preserve our habits.
Vous	conservez	Vous conservez vos aliments.	You (plural) preserve your food.
Ils	conservent	Ils conservent leur culture.	They (masculine) preserve their culture.
Elles	conservent	Elles conservent leurs souvenirs.	They (feminine) preserve their memories.