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

Introduction to the verb déclarer

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The English translation of the French verb déclarer is “to declare.” The infinitive form of déclarer is pronounced as “day-kla-ray.”

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Déclarer comes from the Latin word “declarare,” meaning “to make clear.” In everyday French, déclarer is commonly used to express actions or statements related to making an official announcement, expressing an opinion, or stating something formally.

Examples:

Je dois déclarer mes revenus cette semaine. (I have to declare my income this week.)
Elle a déclaré son amour pour lui. (She declared her love for him.)
Le gouvernement a déclaré l’état d’urgence. (The government declared a state of emergency.)

Déclarer – 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 déclarer

Pronoun	Conjugation	Short Example	English Translation
je	déclare	Je déclare mes impôts aujourd’hui.	I declare my taxes today.
tu	déclares	Tu déclares toujours la vérité.	You always tell the truth.
il	déclare	Il déclare son amour pour elle.	He declares his love for her.
elle	déclare	Elle déclare son innocence.	She declares her innocence.
on	déclare	On déclare que c’est interdit.	One declares that it’s forbidden.
nous	déclarons	Nous déclarons la guerre à nos ennemis.	We declare war on our enemies.
vous	déclarez	Vous déclarez vos revenus chaque année.	You declare your income every year.
ils	déclarent	Ils déclarent leurs biens aux douanes.	They declare their goods at customs.
elles	déclarent	Elles déclarent leur intention de se marier.	They declare their intention to get married.