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

Introduction to the verb distancer

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to distance; [dis-tahn-say]; The French verb “distancer” originates from the Latin word “distare,” which means “to stand apart” or “to be distant.” In everyday French, “distancer” is commonly used to express the action of creating distance, both physically and metaphorically, between people, objects, or concepts.

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Examples:

Il a couru très vite pour distancer ses concurrents.
(He ran very fast to distance himself from his competitors.)
Le train a distancé la voiture en quelques minutes.
(The train distanced the car in a matter of minutes.)
Elle essaie de distancer ses soucis en se concentrant sur son travail.
(She’s trying to distance herself from her worries by focusing on her work.)

Distancer – 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 distancer

Pronoun	Conjugation	Short Example	English Translation
Je	distance	Je le distancerai.	I will distance him.
Tu	distances	Tu distanceras la voiture.	You will distance the car.
Il	distance	Il distance son ennemi.	He distances his enemy.
Elle	distance	Elle distance son ami.	She distances her friend.
On	distance	On distance les concurrents.	One distances the competitors.
Nous	distançons	Nous distançons les autres joueurs.	We distance the other players.
Vous	distancez	Vous distancerez les adversaires.	You will distance the opponents.
Ils	distancent	Ils distancent leurs rivaux.	They distance their rivals.
Elles	distancent	Elles distancent les équipes adverses.	They distance the opposing teams.