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

Introduction to the verb fretter

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The English translation of the French verb “fretter” is “worry” or “fret”. The infinitive form of “fretter” is pronounced as /fʁɛ.te/.

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“Fretter” originates from the Old High German word “fruzzan” meaning “to devour” or “consume”. In everyday French, “fretter” is most often used to express worry, anxiety, or agitation.

Here are three simple examples of its usage:

Je ne veux pas te voir fretter pour des choses sans importance. (I don’t want to see you worry about insignificant things.)
Il ne faut pas trop fretter concernant les petits détails de la soirée. (Don’t fret too much about the small details of the evening.)
Elle a tendance à fretter avant chaque examen. (She tends to worry before every exam.)

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Fretter – 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 fretter

Pronoun	Conjugation	Short Example	English Translation
je	frette	Je frette tous les jours.	I worry every day.
tu	frettes	Tu frettes trop.	You worry too much.
il	frette	Il frette pour ses examens.	He worries about his exams.
elle	frette	Elle frette pour son avenir.	She worries about her future.
on	frette	On frette beaucoup pour le travail.	We worry a lot about work.
nous	frettons	Nous frettons ensemble.	We worry together.
vous	frettez	Vous frettez pour rien.	You worry for nothing.
ils	frettent	Ils frettent pour leur famille.	They worry about their family.
elles	frettent	Elles frettent pour leur santé.	They worry about their health.