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

Introduction to the verb fourailler

Get the present tense conjugation of fourailler. Includes a FREE downloadable reference sheet (no email required). Alternatively if you have a lot of text to check then use our free French Grammar Checker – no registration required!

The English translation of the French verb “fourailler” is “to rummage.” The infinitive form is pronounced as “foo-rah-yay.”

Table of Contents

Language origin: “Fourailler” comes from the Old French word “forrer” which means “to search” or “to seek.” It derives from the Latin word “forare” meaning “to bore” or “to pierce.”

Usage examples:

Je dois fourailler dans mes tiroirs pour trouver mes clés. (I need to rummage through my drawers to find my keys.)
Les enfants ont passé l’après-midi à fourailler dans le grenier à la recherche de vieux jouets. (The children spent the afternoon rummaging in the attic for old toys.)
Nous avons dû fourailler dans les archives pour trouver ce document. (We had to rummage through the archives to find this document.)

Fourailler – 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 fourailler

Pronoun	Conjugation	Short Example	English Translation
Je	fouraille	Je fouraille dans mes affaires.	I rummage through my things.
Tu	fourailles	Tu fourailles dans tes livres.	You rummage through your books.
Il	fouraille	Il fouraille dans la boîte.	He rummages through the box.
Elle	fouraille	Elle fouraille dans ses tiroirs.	She rummages through her drawers.
On	fouraille	On fouraille dans le grenier.	One rummages through the attic.
Nous	fouraillons	Nous fouraillons dans le garage.	We rummage through the garage.
Vous	fouraillez	Vous fouraillez dans vos valises.	You rummage through your suitcases.
Ils	fouraillent	Ils fouraillent dans les poubelles.	They rummage through the trash cans.
Elles	fouraillent	Elles fouraillent dans leurs sacs.	They rummage through their bags.