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

Introduction to the verb indiquer

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The English translation of the French verb indiquer is “to indicate” or “to show.” It is pronounced as “ahn-dee-kay.”

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Indiquer comes from the Latin word “indicāre” meaning “to point out.” It is most often used in everyday French to express the action of pointing out or giving information or directions.

Three simple examples of using indiquer in everyday French are:

Je vais vous indiquer le chemin vers la gare. (I will show you the way to the train station.)
Le panneau indicateur indique la direction du village. (The sign indicates the direction of the village.)
Le médecin a indiqué un traitement à suivre. (The doctor indicated a treatment to follow.)

Please note that the translations provided are literal and may not always reflect the most natural or commonly used translation in English.

Indiquer – 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 indiquer

Pronoun	Conjugation	Short Example	English Translation
je	indique	J’indique le chemin.	I indicate the way.
tu	indiques	Tu indiques l’heure.	You indicate the time.
il	indique	Il indique le numéro.	He indicates the number.
elle	indique	Elle indique la direction.	She indicates the direction.
on	indique	On indique le prix.	One indicates the price.
nous	indiquons	Nous indiquons le chemin.	We indicate the way.
vous	indiquez	Vous indiquez le lieu.	You indicate the location.
ils	indiquent	Ils indiquent l’adresse.	They indicate the address.
elles	indiquent	Elles indiquent le temps.	They indicate the time.