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

Introduction to the verb incliner

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The English translation of the French verb incliner is “to incline” or “to lean.” It is pronounced [ɛ̃kline] in its infinitive form.

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The word “incliner” comes from the Latin word “inclīnāre,” meaning “to bend or turn.” In everyday French, it is most often used to express physically leaning or tilting in a certain direction.

Here are three simple examples of its usage:

Il faut incliner la tête pour passer par la porte étroite. (You have to tilt your head to pass through the narrow door.)
Le bateau a commencé à incliner dangereusement vers la droite. (The boat started to lean dangerously to the right.)
Je vais incliner ma décision en fonction de tes arguments. (I will lean towards my decision based on your arguments.)

Incliner – 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 incliner

Pronoun	Conjugation	Short Example	English Translation
Je	incline	Je m’incline devant toi.	I bow down before you.
Tu	inclines	Tu inclines la tête.	You tilt your head.
Il	incline	Il incline son corps pour saluer.	He leans his body to greet.
Elle	incline	Elle incline la balance.	She tilts the scale.
On	incline	On se penche pour ramasser.	We lean down to pick up.
Nous	inclinons	Nous inclinons nos têtes en signe de respect.	We bow our heads as a sign of respect.
Vous	inclinez	Vous inclinez votre tête pour saluer.	You tilt your head to greet.
Ils	inclinent	Ils inclinent la table pour la déplacer.	They tilt the table to move it.
Elles	inclinent	Elles inclinent la tête en signe de compréhension.	They tilt their heads as a sign of understanding.