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

Introduction to the verb divertir

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The English translation of the French verb divertir is “to entertain.” It is pronounced as “dee-vehr-teer.”

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The language origin of divertir comes from the Latin word “divertere,” which means “to turn away.” In everyday French, it is most often used to refer to the act of providing amusement or enjoyment.

Three simple examples of its usage are:

Nous allons au parc pour nous divertir. (We are going to the park to have fun.)
La nouvelle comédie musicale a réussi à divertir le public. (The new musical managed to entertain the audience.)
Mon frère aime divertir ses amis avec ses blagues. (My brother enjoys entertaining his friends with his jokes.)

Divertir – 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 divertir

Pronoun	Conjugation	Short Example	English Translation
Je	Je diverts	Je diverts toujours mes amis.	I always entertain my friends.
Tu	Tu divertis	Tu divertis tes invités ce soir.	You entertain your guests tonight.
Il	Il divertit	Il divertit la foule avec ses blagues.	He entertains the crowd with his jokes.
Elle	Elle divertit	Elle divertit les enfants avec des jeux.	She entertains the children with games.
On	On divertit	On divertit les touristes avec des spectacles.	We entertain the tourists with shows.
Nous	Nous divertissons	Nous divertissons nos invités avec de la musique.	We entertain our guests with music.
Vous	Vous divertissez	Vous divertissez toujours vos amis.	You always entertain your friends.
Ils	Ils divertissent	Ils divertissent la foule avec leurs acrobaties.	They entertain the crowd with their acrobatics.
Elles	Elles divertissent	Elles divertissent les enfants avec des contes.	They entertain the children with stories.