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

Introduction to the verb emboîter

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The English translation of the French verb “emboîter” is “to fit” or “to slot.” The infinitive form of “emboîter” is pronounced as “ahm-bwah-tee.”

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The word “emboîter” comes from the combination of the prefix “en-” (meaning “in” or “into”) and the noun “boîte” (meaning “box”). In everyday French, “emboîter” is most often used to describe the action of fitting or slotting one object into another.

Examples:

J’ai réussi à emboîter les pièces du puzzle. (I managed to fit the puzzle pieces together.)
Il a essayé d’emboîter la prise dans la prise murale. (He tried to plug the plug into the wall socket.)
Elle a emboîté les étagères dans le meuble. (She slotted the shelves into the cabinet.)

Please note that the pronunciation guide provided is an approximate representation using English phonetics.

Emboîter – 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 emboîter

Pronoun	Conjugation	Short Example	English Translation
je	j’emboîte	J’emboîte les pièces du puzzle.	I fit the puzzle pieces together.
tu	tu emboîtes	Tu emboîtes les vis dans le bois.	You fit the screws into the wood.
il	il emboîte	Il emboîte les tuyaux ensemble.	He fits the pipes together.
elle	elle emboîte	Elle emboîte les briques.	She fits the bricks together.
on	on emboîte	On emboîte les éléments.	We fit the elements together.
nous	nous emboîtons	Nous emboîtons les morceaux.	We fit the pieces together.
vous	vous emboîtez	Vous emboîtez les parties.	You fit the parts together.
ils	ils emboîtent	Ils emboîtent les poutres.	They fit the beams together.
elles	elles emboîtent	Elles emboîtent les roues.	They fit the wheels together.