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

Introduction to the verb éviter

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The English translation of éviter is “to avoid.” It is pronounced as “eh-vee-tay.”

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Éviter comes from the Latin word “evitare,” meaning “to shun,” and entered into the French language in the 14th century. In everyday French, it is used as a regular verb in the infinitive form, but can also be conjugated in various tenses and moods.

Examples:

Je dois éviter la foule pendant la pandémie. (I must avoid the crowd during the pandemic.)
Nous évitons toujours les sujets politiques lors des dîners en famille. (We always avoid political topics during family dinners.)
Il a réussi à éviter l’accident de justesse. (He narrowly avoided the accident.)

Éviter – 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 éviter

Pronoun	Conjugation	Short Example	English Translation
je	évite	Je évite les conflits.	I avoid conflicts.
tu	évites	Tu évites les problèmes.	You avoid problems.
il	évite	Il évite les foules.	He avoids crowds.
elle	évite	Elle évite les endroits bruyants.	She avoids loud places.
on	évite	On évite d’arriver en retard.	We avoid arriving late.
nous	évitons	Nous évitons les sujets sensibles.	We avoid sensitive topics.
vous	évitez	Vous évitez les aliments gras.	You avoid fatty foods.
ils	évitent	Ils évitent les conflits.	They avoid conflicts.
elles	évitent	Elles évitent les endroits dangereux.	They avoid dangerous places.