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

Introduction to the verb dépendre

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The English translation of the French verb dépendre is “to depend.” The infinitive form of dépendre is pronounced as “day-pon-druh.”

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Dépendre comes from the Old French term “dependre,” which is derived from the Latin word “dependere,” meaning “to hang down.” It is most often used in everyday French to express a state of dependence or reliance on someone or something.

Examples:

Je dépend de mes parents pour le soutien financier. – I depend on my parents for financial support.
Notre réussite dépend de notre travail acharné. – Our success depends on our hard work.
Le résultat de cette élection dépendra du vote des électeurs. – The outcome of this election will depend on the voters’ choice.

Dépendre – 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 dépendre

Pronoun	Conjugation	Short Example	English Translation
Je	dépends	Je dépends de mon équipe.	I depend on my team.
Tu	dépends	Tu dépends de tes parents.	You depend on your parents.
Il	dépend	Il dépend de sa santé.	He depends on his health.
Elle	dépend	Elle dépend de ses finances.	She depends on her finances.
On	dépend	On dépend de la météo.	We depend on the weather.
Nous	dépendons	Nous dépendons les uns des autres.	We depend on each other.
Vous	dépendez	Vous dépendez de vos décisions.	You depend on your decisions.
Ils	dépendent	Ils dépendent de leur patron.	They depend on their boss.
Elles	dépendent	Elles dépendent de leurs amis.	They depend on their friends.