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

Introduction to the verb longer

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The English translation of the French verb longer is “to lengthen.” The infinitive form “longer” is pronounced as “lohng-ey.”

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The language origin of longer can be traced back to the Old French word “longier,” which comes from the Latin word “longus” meaning “long.” In everyday French, longer is used to describe the action of making something longer or extending it in length. It can also be used figuratively to mean to prolong or extend a period of time or to make something more tedious.

Examples:

Il faut longer la jupe pour qu’elle soit à la bonne longueur. (We need to lengthen the skirt so that it’s the right length.)
Nous allons longer la balade pour profiter du beau temps. (We will prolong the walk to enjoy the nice weather.)
Je déteste les réunions qui durent longtemps, elles sont tellement longues. (I hate meetings that go on for a long time, they are so tedious.)

Longer – 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 longer

Pronoun	Conjugation	Short Example	English Translation
je	longe	Je longe la rivière.	I am walking along the river.
tu	longes	Tu longes la plage.	You are walking along the beach.
il	longe	Il longe le parc.	He is walking along the park.
elle	longe	Elle longe la rue.	She is walking along the street.
on	longe	On longe la montagne.	We are walking along the mountain.
nous	longeons	Nous longeons le lac.	We are walking along the lake.
vous	longez	Vous longez le champ.	You are walking along the field.
ils	longent	Ils longent le chemin.	They are walking along the path.
elles	longent	Elles longent la forêt.	They are walking along the forest.