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

Introduction to the verb dilater

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The English translation of the French verb “dilater” is “to dilate”. The infinitive form of “dilater” is pronounced as dee-la-tey.

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The word “dilater” originates from the Latin word “dilatare”, which means “to spread out” or “to enlarge”. In everyday French, “dilater” is commonly used in medical contexts to describe the expansion or widening of a body part, such as blood vessels or the pupils of the eyes.

Three simple examples of its usage are:

La lumière dilate les pupilles. (The light dilates the pupils.)
Les vaisseaux sanguins se dilatent pendant l’exercice. (The blood vessels dilate during exercise.)
Le médecin utilisera des gouttes pour dilater vos yeux. (The doctor will use drops to dilate your eyes.)

Dilater – 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 dilater

Pronoun	Conjugation	Short Example	English Translation
je	dilate	Je dilate rapidement.	I dilate quickly.
tu	dilates	Tu dilates un peu.	You dilate a little.
il	dilate	Il dilate beaucoup.	He dilates a lot.
elle	dilate	Elle dilate souvent.	She dilates often.
on	dilate	On dilate ensemble.	We dilate together.
nous	dilatons	Nous dilatons nos muscles.	We dilate our muscles.
vous	dilatez	Vous dilatez lentement.	You dilate slowly.
ils	dilatent	Ils dilatent leurs pupilles.	They dilate their pupils.
elles	dilatent	Elles dilatent leurs vaisseaux.	They dilate their vessels.