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

Introduction to the verb opter

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The English translation of the French verb opter is “to opt” or “to choose.” It is pronounced as “op-tay.”

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Opter comes from the Latin word “optare,” meaning “to choose” or “to desire.” It is most often used in everyday French to express making a choice or decision.

Three simple examples of its usage are:

Je dois opter entre déménager ou chercher un nouvel emploi. (I have to choose between moving or searching for a new job.)
Nous avons opté pour la formule tout inclus pour nos vacances. (We opted for the all-inclusive package for our vacation.)
Elle a opté pour la robe rouge pour la soirée. (She opted for the red dress for the party.)

Translation: I must choose between moving or looking for a new job. We opted for the all-inclusive package for our vacation. She opted for the red dress for the party.

Opter – 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 opter

Pronoun	Conjugation	Short Example	English Translation
je	j’opte	J’opte pour le rouge.	I opt for red.
tu	tu optes	Tu optes pour le bleu.	You opt for blue.
il	il opte	Il opte pour le vert.	He opts for green.
elle	elle opte	Elle opte pour le jaune.	She opts for yellow.
on	on opte	On opte pour le noir.	We opt for black.
nous	nous optons	Nous optons pour le blanc.	We opt for white.
vous	vous optez	Vous optez pour le violet.	You opt for purple.
ils	ils optent	Ils optent pour le rose.	They opt for pink.
elles	elles optent	Elles optent pour le gris.	They opt for grey.