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

Introduction to the verb elaguer

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The English translation of the French verb “elaguer” is “to prune”. The infinitive form of “elaguer” is pronounced as “ay-la-gué”.

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The word “elaguer” has its origins in the Old French word “eslaguer”, which means “to clear”. In everyday French, it is commonly used in the context of gardening or horticulture to refer to the act of trimming or cutting back trees, shrubs, or plants to promote their growth and maintain their shape.

Examples:

J’ai besoin d’élaguer cet arbre pour qu’il ne touche pas les fils électriques.
(I need to prune this tree so that it doesn’t touch the electrical wires.)
Il est important d’élaguer les rosiers au printemps pour favoriser leur floraison.
(It is important to prune rose bushes in spring to promote their blooming.)
Les jardiniers ont passé la journée à élaguer les haies du parc.
(The gardeners spent the day pruning the hedges in the park.)

Elaguer – 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 elaguer

Pronoun	Conjugation	Short Example	English Translation
je	élague	J’élague les arbres.	I prune the trees.
tu	élagues	Tu élagues les haies.	You prune the hedges.
il	élague	Il élague les branches.	He prunes the branches.
elle	élague	Elle élague les plantes.	She prunes the plants.
on	élague	On élague les buissons.	One prunes the bushes.
nous	élaguons	Nous élaguons les jardins.	We prune the gardens.
vous	élaguez	Vous élaguez les vergers.	You prune the orchards.
ils	élaguent	Ils élaguent les arbustes.	They prune the shrubs.
elles	élaguent	Elles élaguent les vignes.	They prune the vines.