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

Introduction to the verb griser

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The English translation of the French verb griser is “to make/dye grey” or “to become/get drunk.” The infinitive form of griser is pronounced “gree-zay.”

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The word griser comes from the Old French “gris,” meaning grey. It is most commonly used in everyday French to describe the action of making something grey or coloring something in shades of grey. However, it is also used to describe the state of being drunk or intoxicated.

Examples:

Je vais griser mes cheveux pour changer de look. (I am going to dye my hair grey for a change of style.)
Les nuages ont commencé à griser le ciel. (The clouds started to make the sky grey.)
Après quelques verres, il était complètement grisé. (After a few drinks, he was completely drunk.)

Griser – 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 griser

Pronoun	Conjugation	Short Example	English Translation
je	grise	Je grise	I am getting tipsy
tu	grises	Tu grises	You are getting tipsy
il	grise	Il grise	He is getting tipsy
elle	grise	Elle grise	She is getting tipsy
on	grise	On grise	One is getting tipsy
nous	grissons	Nous grissons	We are getting tipsy
vous	grisez	Vous grisez	You are getting tipsy
ils	grisent	Ils grisent	They are getting tipsy
elles	grisent	Elles grisent	They are getting tipsy