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

Introduction to the verb convertir

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English translation: convert

Table of Contents

Pronunciation: kohn-vair-teer (infinitive form)

Language origin: The verb convertir comes from the Latin word “converto,” meaning “to turn around” or “to transform.” It entered the French language in the 12th century.

Usage in everyday French: Convertir is mainly used in religious contexts, meaning “to convert” or “to change one’s faith or beliefs.” However, it can also be used in a more general sense of “to transform” or “to change.”

Examples:

Je veux convertir mes économies en livres sterling. (I want to convert my savings into British pounds.)
Il a finalement décidé de se convertir à l’Islam. (He finally decided to convert to Islam.)
Nous avons converti le garage en une chambre d’amis. (We converted the garage into a guest room.)

Convertir – 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 convertir

Pronoun	Conjugation	Short Example	English Translation
je	convertis	Je convertis mes économies en actions.	I am converting my savings into stocks.
tu	convertis	Tu convertis toujours les mesures en unités métriques.	You always convert measurements into metric units.
il	convertit	Il convertit son entreprise en une organisation plus durable.	He is converting his company into a more sustainable organization.
elle	convertit	Elle convertit son régime alimentaire pour être plus sain.	She is converting her diet to be healthier.
on	convertit	On convertit ce vieux bâtiment en un musée.	We are converting this old building into a museum.
nous	convertissons	Nous convertissons l’argent en euros avant notre voyage en Europe.	We are converting money into euros before our trip to Europe.
vous	convertissez	Vous convertissez votre expérience professionnelle en avantages pour votre nouveau poste.	You are converting your professional experience into benefits for your new job.
ils	convertissent	Ils convertissent leur maison en maison intelligente.	They are converting their house into a smart home.
elles	convertissent	Elles convertissent leur passion en carrière.	They are converting their passion into a career.