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

Introduction to the verb ordonner

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The English translation of the French verb ordonner is “to order” or “to command.” It is pronounced as “or-doh-nay.”

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Ordonner comes from the Old French word “ordon,” meaning “to command,” which comes from the Latin word “ordinare,” meaning “to arrange” or “to order.”

In everyday French, ordonner is most often used to express the act of giving orders or commands, whether it be in a formal setting or in everyday situations.

Examples:

“Le général ordonna à ses soldats de se préparer pour la bataille.” (The general ordered his soldiers to prepare for battle.)
“Je t’ordonne de ne pas toucher à ce bouton rouge!” (I command you not to touch that red button!)
“Le médecin m’a ordonné de prendre ces médicaments tous les jours.” (The doctor ordered me to take these medications every day.)

Ordonner – 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 ordonner

Pronoun	Conjugation	Short Example	English Translation
Je	ordonne	Je m’ordonne de partir.	I order myself to leave.
Tu	ordonnes	Tu ordonnes le silence.	You order silence.
Il	ordonne	Il ordonne à ses soldats de se mettre en position.	He orders his soldiers to get into position.
Elle	ordonne	Elle ordonne le repas pour ce soir.	She orders the meal for tonight.
On	ordonne	On ordonne l’évacuation de la ville.	They order the evacuation of the city.
Nous	ordonnons	Nous ordonnons le chaos en organisant les tâches.	We order chaos by organizing tasks.
Vous	ordonnez	Vous ordonnez aux enfants de ranger leur chambre.	You order the children to clean their room.
Ils	ordonnent	Ils ordonnent la fermeture des frontières.	They order the closure of the borders.
Elles	ordonnent	Elles ordonnent un arrêt immédiat des travaux.	They order an immediate stop to the work.