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

Introduction to the verb inquiéter

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The English translation of the French verb inquiéter is “to worry.” It is pronounced as “ehn-kye-teh.”

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The language origin of inquiéter can be traced back to the Latin word “inquietare,” meaning “to cause restlessness or unease.” In everyday French, it is most often used in the context of expressing worry, concern, or anxiety about something.

Examples:

Je m’inquiète pour mon examen demain. (I am worried about my exam tomorrow.)
Tu ne devrais pas t’inquiéter autant, tout va bien se passer. (You shouldn’t worry so much, everything will be fine.)
Les parents s’inquiètent pour la sécurité de leurs enfants. (Parents worry about the safety of their children.)

Inquiéter – 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 inquiéter

Pronoun	Conjugation	Short Example	English Translation
Je	m’inquiète	Je m’inquiète pour toi.	I worry about you.
Tu	t’inquiètes	Tu t’inquiètes pour ton examen.	You worry about your exam.
Il	s’inquiète	Il s’inquiète pour sa santé.	He worries about his health.
Elle	s’inquiète	Elle s’inquiète pour son travail.	She worries about her work.
On	s’inquiète	On s’inquiète pour l’avenir.	We worry about the future.
Nous	nous inquiétons	Nous nous inquiétons pour notre ami.	We worry about our friend.
Vous	vous inquiétez	Vous vous inquiétez pour votre famille.	You worry about your family.
Ils	s’inquiètent	Ils s’inquiètent pour leurs proches.	They worry about their loved ones.
Elles	s’inquiètent	Elles s’inquiètent pour leur voyage.	They worry about their trip.