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

Introduction to the verb obvenir

Get the present tense conjugation of obvenir. 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 obvenir is “to happen” or “to occur.” It is pronounced as “oh-buh-neer.”

Table of Contents

Obvenir comes from the Latin word “obvenire,” which means “to come to” or “to happen.” In everyday French, it is most often used in the sense of something occurring unexpectedly or by chance.

Here are three simple examples of its usage with their respective English translations:

“Il est possible que des problèmes obviennent pendant le voyage.” (It is possible that problems may arise during the trip.)
“Un consensus doit obvenir pour résoudre cette situation.” (A consensus must be reached to resolve this situation.)
“Je ne veux pas qu’un tel incident obvienne à nouveau.” (I don’t want such an incident to happen again.)

Overall, obvenir is a versatile verb that is commonly used in both formal and informal contexts to describe unexpected or chance occurrences.

Obvenir – 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 obvenir

Pronoun	Conjugation	Short Example	English Translation
Je	J’obtiens	J’obtiens un résultat satisfaisant.	I obtain a satisfactory result.
Tu	Tu obtiens	Tu obtiens toujours ce que tu veux.	You always get what you want.
Il	Il obtient	Il obtient de bons résultats à l’examen.	He obtains good results on the exam.
Elle	Elle obtient	Elle obtient une promotion cette année.	She obtains a promotion this year.
On	On obtient	On obtient souvent des réductions en ligne.	One often obtains discounts online.
Nous	Nous obtenons	Nous obtenons de l’aide de nos amis.	We obtain help from our friends.
Vous	Vous obtenez	Vous obtenez toujours de bons conseils.	You always obtain good advice.
Ils	Ils obtiennent	Ils obtiennent de bons salaires dans cette entreprise.	They obtain good salaries in this company.
Elles	Elles obtiennent	Elles obtiennent des bourses pour leurs études.	They obtain scholarships for their studies.