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

Introduction to the verb éprouver

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The English translation of the French verb éprouver is “to experience” or “to feel”. It is pronounced as “ay-prou-vay”.

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The language origin of éprouver is from the Old French word “esprover”, which comes from the Latin word “experiri” meaning “to try” or “to test”. In everyday French, éprouver is most often used to describe the act of feeling or undergoing a certain emotion or experience.

Examples of usage:

J’ai éprouvé de la tristesse en apprenant la nouvelle. (I experienced sadness upon hearing the news.)
Nous avons éprouvé de la gratitude envers nos amis. (We felt grateful towards our friends.)
Il éprouve de la fierté pour son fils. (He feels proud of his son.)

Éprouver – 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 éprouver

Pronoun	Conjugation	Short Example	English Translation
je	éprouve	J’éprouve des difficultés.	I am experiencing difficulties.
tu	éprouves	Tu éprouves de la joie.	You are feeling joy.
il	éprouve	Il éprouve de l’inquiétude.	He is feeling worried.
elle	éprouve	Elle éprouve de l’amour.	She is feeling love.
on	éprouve	On éprouve de la gratitude.	We are feeling gratitude.
nous	éprouvons	Nous éprouvons de la fierté.	We are feeling proud.
vous	éprouvez	Vous éprouvez de la colère.	You are feeling anger.
ils	éprouvent	Ils éprouvent de la tristesse.	They are feeling sadness.
elles	éprouvent	Elles éprouvent de l’excitation.	They are feeling excitement.