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

Introduction to the verb débroussailler

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The English translation of the French verb “débroussailler” is “to clear (brushwood)”. The pronunciation of the infinitive form “débroussailler” is: dey-broo-say-yay.

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Débroussailler originates from the combination of two words: “dé-” (a prefix meaning “un-” or “dis-“) and “broussaille” (meaning “brushwood”). It is often used in everyday French to describe the action of clearing or removing vegetation, typically in the context of land or garden maintenance.

Here are three examples of its usage:

Je vais débroussailler le jardin ce week-end.
(I’m going to clear the garden of brushwood this weekend.)
Les ouvriers débroussaillent le terrain pour la construction.
(The workers are clearing the land of brushwood for construction.)
Nous devons débroussailler cette partie de la forêt.
(We need to clear this part of the forest of brushwood.)

Note: The English translations provided are a representation of the meaning of the sentences and may not be literal translations.

Débroussailler – 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 débroussailler

Pronoun	Conjugation	Short Example	English Translation
je	débroussaille	Je débroussaille mon jardin.	I clear my garden.
tu	débroussailles	Tu débroussailles le terrain.	You clear the land.
il	débroussaille	Il débroussaille la forêt.	He clears the forest.
elle	débroussaille	Elle débroussaille les broussailles.	She clears the undergrowth.
on	débroussaille	On débroussaille le chemin.	One clears the path.
nous	débroussaillons	Nous débroussaillons nos jardins.	We clear our gardens.
vous	débroussaillez	Vous débroussaillez le parc.	You clear the park.
ils	débroussaillent	Ils débroussaillent la zone.	They clear the area.
elles	débroussaillent	Elles débroussaillent les buissons.	They clear the bushes.