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

Introduction to the verb inspirer

Get the present tense conjugation of inspirer. Includes a FREE downloadable reference sheet (no email required). Alternatively if you have a lot of text to check then use our free French Grammar Checker – no registration required!

The English translation of the French verb “inspirer” is “to inspire.” It is pronounced as [ɛ̃spiʁe].

Table of Contents

The word “inspirer” comes from the Latin word “inspirare,” meaning “to breathe or blow into.” In everyday French, it is most often used to describe something or someone that sparks creativity, motivation, or strong emotions in others. It can also be used in a more literal sense, meaning “to inhale” or “to take in air.”

Here are three simple examples of its usage:

Cette musique m’inspire beaucoup. (This music inspires me a lot.)
L’artiste s’est inspiré de son enfance pour créer cette œuvre. (The artist was inspired by his childhood to create this piece.)
Le discours du président a inspiré la nation entière. (The president’s speech inspired the entire nation.)

Inspirer – 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 inspirer

Pronoun	Conjugation	Short Example	English Translation
je	j’inspire	J’inspire l’air frais.	I breathe in the fresh air.
tu	tu inspires	Tu inspires confiance.	You inspire confidence.
il	il inspire	Il inspire la créativité.	He inspires creativity.
elle	elle inspire	Elle inspire le respect.	She inspires respect.
on	on inspire	On inspire la joie de vivre.	One inspires joy in life.
nous	nous inspirons	Nous inspirons les autres.	We inspire others.
vous	vous inspirez	Vous inspirez la motivation.	You inspire motivation.
ils	ils inspirent	Ils inspirent la passion.	They inspire passion.
elles	elles inspirent	Elles inspirent la curiosité.	They inspire curiosity.