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

Introduction to the verb fourvoyer

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The English translation of the French verb “fourvoyer” is “to mislead” or “to lead astray.” The pronunciation of the infinitive form “fourvoyer” is [fuʁ.vwa.je].

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The word “fourvoyer” originated from the Old French verb “forvoier,” which meant “to lead astray.” It is derived from the combination of the prefix “for-” (meaning “away” or “wrong”) and the verb “voier” (meaning “to guide” or “to show the way”). In everyday French, “fourvoyer” is used to express the action of leading someone in the wrong direction or causing them to be mistaken.

Examples:

Ne te laisse pas fourvoyer par ses mensonges. (Don’t let yourself be misled by his lies.)
Son mauvais jugement l’a souvent fourvoyé. (His poor judgment has often led him astray.)
Les fausses informations ont fourvoyé les électeurs. (False information led the voters astray.)

Please note that while the verb “fourvoyer” primarily means “to mislead” or “to lead astray,” it can also have other related meanings depending on the context.

Fourvoyer – 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 fourvoyer

Pronoun	Conjugation	Short Example	English Translation
je	me fourvoie	Je me fourvoie dans cette affaire.	I am getting confused in this matter.
tu	te fourvoies	Tu te fourvoies en pensant ça.	You are mistaken in thinking that.
il	se fourvoie	Il se fourvoie dans ses idées.	He is going astray in his thoughts.
elle	se fourvoie	Elle se fourvoie en prenant cette décision.	She is going astray in making that decision.
on	se fourvoie	On se fourvoie si on croit ça.	One goes astray if they believe that.
nous	nous fourvoyons	Nous nous fourvoyons dans cette situation.	We are getting confused in this situation.
vous	vous fourvoyez	Vous vous fourvoyez complètement.	You are completely mistaken.
ils	se fourvoient	Ils se fourvoient en pensant cela.	They are mistaken in thinking that.
elles	se fourvoient	Elles se fourvoient en agissant ainsi.	They are going astray by acting like that.