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

Introduction to the verb écrire

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The English translation of the French verb écrire is “to write.” It is pronounced “eh-kreer.”

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The language origin of écrire can be traced back to the Latin word “scribere,” meaning “to write.” In everyday French, écrire is used to talk about the act of writing, whether it be by hand or on a computer. It can also be used to refer to the act of composing a text or message.

Examples:

Je dois écrire une lettre à ma grand-mère. – I have to write a letter to my grandmother.
Elle a pris un stylo pour écrire son numéro de téléphone. – She took a pen to write her phone number.
J’écris un livre sur l’histoire de ma famille. – I am writing a book about my family’s history.

Écrire – 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 écrire

Pronoun	Conjugation	Short Example	English Translation
Je	écris	J’écris une lettre.	I am writing a letter.
Tu	écris	Tu écris un poème.	You are writing a poem.
Il	écrit	Il écrit un livre.	He is writing a book.
Elle	écrit	Elle écrit une histoire.	She is writing a story.
On	écrit	On écrit une chanson.	We are writing a song.
Nous	écrivons	Nous écrivons un scénario.	We are writing a screenplay.
Vous	écrivez	Vous écrivez un email.	You are writing an email.
Ils	écrivent	Ils écrivent un article.	They are writing an article.
Elles	écrivent	Elles écrivent une carte.	They are writing a card.