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

Introduction to the verb détraquer

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The English translation of the French verb “détraquer” is “to put out of order” or “to upset.” The infinitive form “détraquer” is pronounced as “day-trah-kay.”

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The word “détraquer” originates from the Old French word “destreker,” which means “to go mad” or “to become crazy.” It is often used in everyday French to describe things or situations that are malfunctioning, out of order, or disrupted.

Examples:

Cette panne a détraqué tous les ordinateurs. (This breakdown put all the computers out of order.)
Les grèves détraquent les horaires des trains. (The strikes upset the train schedules.)
La mauvaise nouvelle a détraqué mon humeur. (The bad news put me in a bad mood.)

Note: The English translations provided are approximate and may vary based on the context.

Détraquer – 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 détraquer

Pronoun	Conjugation	Short Example	English Translation
Je	détraque	Je détraque souvent les appareils électroniques.	I often mess up electronic devices.
Tu	détraques	Tu détraques le moteur en le surchauffant.	You mess up the engine by overheating it.
Il	détraque	Il détraque le système en faisant des erreurs de code.	He messes up the system by making coding errors.
Elle	détraque	Elle détraque les horaires en arrivant en retard.	She messes up the schedules by being late.
On	détraque	On détraque l’équilibre en ne respectant pas les règles.	We mess up the balance by not following the rules.
Nous	détraquons	Nous détraquons les machines en les utilisant de manière incorrecte.	We mess up the machines by using them incorrectly.
Vous	détraquez	Vous détraquez les circuits avec ces connexions erronées.	You mess up the circuits with these incorrect connections.
Ils	détraquent	Ils détraquent le fonctionnement en ne suivant pas les instructions.	They mess up the operation by not following the instructions.
Elles	détraquent	Elles détraquent les mécanismes en les forçant.	They mess up the mechanisms by forcing them.