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

Introduction to the verb lister

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The English translation of the French verb lister is “to list.” It is pronounced as “lee-stay.”

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The origin of the word lister is from the Latin word “lister,” meaning “to choose or select.”

In everyday French, lister is most often used to mean making a list or enumerating items. It can also refer to organizing information or planning.

Examples:

Je vais lister les ingrédients dont j’ai besoin pour la recette. (I am going to list the ingredients I need for the recipe.)
Il faut lister les tâches à faire pour la journée. (We need to list the tasks to do for the day.)
Elle a l’habitude de lister ses dépenses chaque mois. (She is used to listing her expenses every month.)

Lister – 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 lister

Pronoun	Conjugation	Short Example	English Translation
je	liste	Je liste mes tâches.	I list my tasks.
tu	listes	Tu listes tes achats.	You list your purchases.
il	liste	Il liste ses objectifs.	He lists his goals.
elle	liste	Elle liste ses dépenses.	She lists her expenses.
on	liste	On liste les invités.	We list the guests.
nous	listons	Nous listons nos idées.	We list our ideas.
vous	listez	Vous listez vos priorités.	You list your priorities.
ils	listent	Ils listent leurs compétences.	They list their skills.
elles	listent	Elles listent leurs résolutions.	They list their resolutions.