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

Introduction to the verb marmotter

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The English translation of the French verb marmotter is “to mutter” or “to grumble”. It is pronounced “mar-mo-tey” in its infinitive form.

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The word marmotter comes from the French noun “marmotte”, meaning marmot, and the suffix “-er” which is commonly used to form verbs in French. It is most often used in everyday French to describe someone speaking in a low or indistinct manner, often with dissatisfaction or annoyance.

Examples:

Je n’arrive pas à comprendre ce qu’il marmotte. (I can’t understand what he’s muttering.)
Les employés ont commencé à marmotter à propos de leurs salaires. (The employees started grumbling about their salaries.)
Arrête de marmotter et parle plus fort ! (Stop muttering and speak louder!)

Marmotter – 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 marmotter

Pronoun	Conjugation	Short Example	English Translation
je	marmotte	Je marmotte tous les matins.	I grumble every morning.
tu	marmottes	Tu marmottes souvent.	You often grumble.
il	marmotte	Il marmotte en silence.	He grumbles silently.
elle	marmotte	Elle marmotte en écrivant.	She grumbles while writing.
on	marmotte	On marmotte beaucoup en hiver.	We grumble a lot in winter.
nous	marmottons	Nous marmottons tous les jours.	We grumble every day.
vous	marmottez	Vous marmottez pendant les réunions.	You grumble during meetings.
ils	marmottent	Ils marmottent des chansons en marchant.	They mutter songs while walking.
elles	marmottent	Elles marmottent des secrets entre elles.	They whisper secrets to each other.