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

Introduction to the verb latter

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The English translation for the French verb “latter” is “to choose” and its infinitive form is pronounced “lah-tay”.

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The word “latter” comes from the Old French word “latre” which means “choose, pick or select”. In everyday French, “latter” is most often used as a synonym for the verb “choisir” (to choose). It is used to express the act of making a decision or selecting something among different options.

Examples:

Je dois latter entre le rouge et le bleu pour ma nouvelle robe. (I have to choose between red and blue for my new dress.)
Elle a latté le meilleur restaurant pour notre anniversaire. (She chose the best restaurant for our anniversary.)
Nous avons latté d’étudier à l’étranger l’année prochaine. (We have decided to study abroad next year.)

Latter – 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 latter

Pronoun	Conjugation	Short Example	English Translation
Je	je latte	Je latte au café tous les matins.	I latter at the cafe every morning.
Tu	tu lattes	Tu lattes avec du lait d’amande.	You latter with almond milk.
Il	il latte	Il latte son café avec du sucre.	He latter his coffee with sugar.
Elle	elle latte	Elle latte à la maison.	She latter at home.
On	on latte	On latte souvent en France.	We latter often in France.
Nous	nous lattons	Nous lattons ensemble.	We latter together.
Vous	vous lattez	Vous lattez beaucoup de café.	You latter a lot of coffee.
Ils	ils lattent	Ils lattent dans le salon.	They latter in the living room.
Elles	elles lattent	Elles lattent de manière différente.	They latter in a different way.