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

Introduction to the verb mettre

Get the present tense conjugation of mettre. 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 mettre is “to put” or “to place.” It is pronounced as “meh-truh.”

Table of Contents

The language origin of mettre can be traced back to the Latin word “mittere,” meaning “to send or put.” It is a very common and versatile verb in everyday French, used to describe the action of putting something in a specific place.

1) Je vais mettre mes chaussures avant de sortir. (I am going to put on my shoes before going out.)
2) Tu peux mettre la table pendant que je prépare le dîner? (Can you set the table while I prepare dinner?)
3) Il faut mettre la clé dans la serrure pour ouvrir la porte. (You need to put the key in the lock to open the door.)

Mettre – 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 mettre

Pronoun	Conjugation	Short Example	English Translation
Je	mets	Je mets mes chaussures.	I put on my shoes.
Tu	mets	Tu mets la table.	You set the table.
Il	met	Il met son manteau.	He puts on his coat.
Elle	met	Elle met du mascara.	She puts on mascara.
On	met	On met la musique.	We put on music.
Nous	mettons	Nous mettons nos vêtements.	We put on our clothes.
Vous	mettez	Vous mettez vos lunettes.	You put on your glasses.
Ils	mettent	Ils mettent de l’argent de côté.	They put aside some money.
Elles	mettent	Elles mettent leur maquillage.	They put on their makeup.