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

Introduction to the verb cotir

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The English translation of the French verb cotir is “to contribute.” It is pronounced as “koh-teer.”

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The word cotir comes from the Old French word “coter” which means “to share equally.” In everyday French, cotir is most often used to refer to contributing or sharing something, whether it be money, ideas, or effort.

Here are three simple examples of using cotir in everyday French:

Nous devons tous cotir pour acheter les cadeaux de Noël. (We all have to contribute to buy Christmas gifts.)
Il a cotisé à la campagne de financement pour l’école de sa fille. (He contributed to the fundraising campaign for his daughter’s school.)
Chaque personne peut cotir à la discussion en partageant ses opinions. (Each person can contribute to the discussion by sharing their opinions.)

Cotir – 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 cotir

Pronoun	Conjugation	Short Example	English Translation
je	cote	Je cote le prix du marché.	I quote the market price.
tu	cotes	Tu cotes toujours très haut.	You always quote very high.
il	cote	Il cote ses chances de gagner.	He assesses his chances of winning.
elle	cote	Elle cote les risques.	She assesses the risks.
on	cote	On cote l’équipe favorite.	We assess the favorite team.
nous	cotons	Nous cotons ensemble.	We quote together.
vous	cotez	Vous cotez cher pour vos services.	You quote high for your services.
ils	cotent	Ils cotent leurs dépenses.	They assess their expenses.
elles	cotent	Elles cotent les options disponibles.	They assess the available options.