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

Introduction to the verb étendre

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The English translation of the French verb étendre is “to spread” or “to extend”. It is pronounced as “ay-tahn-druh” in its infinitive form.

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The origin of the word étendre can be traced back to the Latin verb “extendere”, which also means “to stretch out” or “to extend”. In everyday French, étendre is used to refer to various actions of spreading or extending, both physically and metaphorically.

Examples of usage of étendre in everyday French include:

Je vais étendre la crème sur le gâteau. (I will spread the cream on the cake.)
Il faut étendre le linge sur la corde à linge. (We need to hang the laundry on the clothesline.)
Le virus continue de s’étendre à travers le monde. (The virus continues to spread throughout the world.)

Étendre – 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 étendre

Pronoun	Conjugation	Short Example	English Translation
Je	Étends	J’étends mon linge.	I am hanging my laundry.
Tu	Étends	Tu étends ta couverture.	You are spreading out your blanket.
Il	Étend	Il étend sa main.	He is stretching out his hand.
Elle	Étend	Elle étend sa robe.	She is smoothing out her dress.
On	Étend	On étend le tapis.	We are rolling out the carpet.
Nous	Étendons	Nous étendons nos ailes.	We are spreading our wings.
Vous	Étendez	Vous étendez vos jambes.	You are stretching out your legs.
Ils	Étendent	Ils étendent leurs bras.	They are extending their arms.
Elles	Étendent	Elles étendent leurs serviettes.	They are laying out their towels.