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

Introduction to the verb garnir

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The English translation of the French verb garnir is “to garnish” or “to decorate”. The infinitive form of garnir is pronounced as “gar-neer”.

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Garnir originated from the Old French word “garnir” which means “to equip” or “to provide”. In everyday French, it is most often used to describe the action of adding or arranging decorative elements or additional ingredients to something.

J’aime bien garnir mes plats avec des herbes fraîches. (I like to garnish my dishes with fresh herbs.)
Pourriez-vous garnir la salade avec du fromage râpé, s’il vous plaît ? (Could you garnish the salad with grated cheese, please?)
La boulangerie est célèbre pour ses tartes garnies de fruits frais. (The bakery is famous for its tarts garnished with fresh fruits.)

Garnir – 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 garnir

Pronoun	Conjugation	Short Example	English Translation
je	garnis	Je garnis mes assiettes.	I fill my plates.
tu	garnis	Tu garnis ta salade.	You fill your salad.
il	garnit	Il garnit le plat.	He fills the dish.
elle	garnit	Elle garnit son verre.	She fills her glass.
on	garnit	On garnit les verres.	We fill the glasses.
nous	garnissons	Nous garnissons la table.	We fill the table.
vous	garnissez	Vous garnissez vos sandwiches.	You fill your sandwiches.
ils	garnissent	Ils garnissent les crêpes.	They fill the crepes.
elles	garnissent	Elles garnissent les bols.	They fill the bowls.