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

Introduction to the verb griller

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The English translation of the French verb “griller” is “to grill”. The infinitive form “griller” is pronounced as [ɡʁi.je].

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The word “griller” originates from the Latin word “craticulare”, meaning “to roast on a grill”. In everyday French, “griller” is commonly used to refer to the act of grilling food, but it can also have metaphorical uses related to skipping or avoiding something.

Examples:

Je vais griller des saucisses ce soir. (I am going to grill sausages tonight.)
Les enfants ont grillé les légumes pour le dîner. (The children grilled the vegetables for dinner.)
Il a grillé les feux rouges en conduisant. (He ran through red lights while driving.)

Griller – 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 griller

Pronoun	Conjugation	Short Example	English Translation
Je	grille	Je grille un steak.	I am grilling a steak.
Tu	grilles	Tu grilles des légumes.	You are grilling vegetables.
Il	grille	Il grille du poisson.	He is grilling fish.
Elle	grille	Elle grille des brochettes.	She is grilling skewers.
On	grille	On grille des saucisses.	One/we are grilling sausages.
Nous	grillons	Nous grillons des hamburgers.	We are grilling hamburgers.
Vous	grillez	Vous grillez des steaks.	You are grilling steaks.
Ils	grillent	Ils grillent des crevettes.	They (masculine) are grilling shrimp.
Elles	grillent	Elles grillent des légumes.	They (feminine) are grilling vegetables.