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

Introduction to the verb garder

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The English translation of the French verb “garder” is “to keep” or “to guard.” The infinitive form of “garder” is pronounced as [ɡaʁ.de].

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The word “garder” comes from the Old French “garder” which originated from the Frankish word “wardōn,” meaning “to watch over” or “to protect.” In everyday French, “garder” is commonly used to express the idea of keeping or retaining something, as well as to indicate the act of watching over or taking care of someone or something.

Example 1: Je vais garder cette robe pour la soirée.
Translation: I will keep this dress for the evening.

Example 2: Nous devons garder les enfants ce soir.
Translation: We have to babysit the children tonight.

Example 3: Elles gardent leur chien pendant les vacances.
Translation: They are keeping their dog during the holidays.

Garder – 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 garder

Pronoun	Conjugation	Short Example	English Translation
je	garde	Je garde mon chapeau.	I keep my hat.
tu	gardes	Tu gardes la clé.	You keep the key.
il	garde	Il garde son livre.	He keeps his book.
elle	garde	Elle garde son parapluie.	She keeps her umbrella.
on	garde	On garde les souvenirs.	We keep the memories.
nous	gardons	Nous gardons le secret.	We keep the secret.
vous	gardez	Vous gardez le ticket.	You keep the ticket.
ils	gardent	Ils gardent leurs affaires.	They keep their belongings.
elles	gardent	Elles gardent les fleurs.	They keep the flowers.