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

Introduction to the verb déraper

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The English translation of the French verb “déraper” is “to skid” or “to slip.” The infinitive form “déraper” is pronounced as “dey-rah-pey.”

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Déraper originates from the combination of the prefix “dé-” (indicating a reversal or deviation) and the verb “raper” (meaning to scrape). In everyday French, déraper is commonly used to describe the loss of control of a vehicle or a sudden slide due to poor road conditions or reckless driving. It can also be used metaphorically to refer to a slip of the tongue or a social misstep.

Three examples of déraper usage in everyday French are:

Attention, la route est glissante, ne dérape pas !
(Be careful, the road is slippery, don’t skid!)
Il a dérapé en pleine conversation et a offensé tout le monde.
(He slipped up during the conversation and offended everyone.)
Les conducteurs doivent réduire leur vitesse pour éviter de déraper sur la neige.
(Drivers must reduce their speed to avoid skidding on the snow.)

Déraper – 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 déraper

Pronoun	Conjugation	Short Example	English Translation
Je	je dérape	Je dérape en voiture.	I skid in the car.
Tu	tu dérapes	Tu dérapes souvent.	You skid often.
Il	il dérape	Il dérape sur la glace.	He skids on the ice.
Elle	elle dérape	Elle dérape à vélo.	She skids on her bike.
On	on dérape	On dérape facilement.	One skids easily.
Nous	nous dérapons	Nous dérapons en ski.	We skid while skiing.
Vous	vous dérapez	Vous dérapez brusquement.	You skid abruptly.
Ils	ils dérapent	Ils dérapent en patinage.	They skid while skating.
Elles	elles dérapent	Elles dérapent sur la piste.	They skid on the track.