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

Introduction to the verb empêcher

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The English translation of the French verb “empêcher” is “to prevent” or “to hinder.” The infinitive form “empêcher” is pronounced as [ɑ̃.pɛ.ʃe].

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The word “empêcher” originated from the Latin word “impedicare,” meaning “to ensnare” or “to impede.” In everyday French, it is commonly used to express the act of stopping or preventing someone or something from doing a particular action.

Examples:

Ils ont mis en place des mesures strictes pour empêcher la propagation du virus.
(They have implemented strict measures to prevent the spread of the virus.)
Je porte des lunettes pour empêcher mes migraines.
(I wear glasses to prevent my migraines.)
L’agent de sécurité a empêché le voleur de s’échapper.
(The security guard prevented the thief from escaping.)

Empêcher – 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 empêcher

Pronoun	Conjugation	Short Example	English Translation
je	empêche	J’empêche mes amis de sortir.	I prevent my friends from going out.
tu	empêches	Tu empêches le chien de manger.	You prevent the dog from eating.
il	empêche	Il empêche la voiture de démarrer.	He prevents the car from starting.
elle	empêche	Elle empêche le bébé de pleurer.	She prevents the baby from crying.
on	empêche	On empêche le bruit de se propager.	We prevent the noise from spreading.
nous	empêchons	Nous empêchons la fuite d’eau.	We prevent the water leak.
vous	empêchez	Vous empêchez les enfants de jouer.	You prevent the children from playing.
ils	empêchent	Ils empêchent le vol d’avoir lieu.	They prevent the theft from happening.
elles	empêchent	Elles empêchent le mensonge de se propager.	They prevent the lie from spreading.