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

Introduction to the verb parcourir

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The English translation of the French verb parcourir is “to travel through” or “to go over.” It is pronounced as “par-koor-eer.”

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Parcourir comes from the Old French word “parcours,” which means “course” or “route.” It is most often used in everyday French to describe the action of moving or traveling through a place or covering a certain distance.

Je vais parcourir l’Europe cet été. (I am going to travel through Europe this summer.)
Les coureurs vont parcourir 10 kilomètres lors de la course. (The runners will cover 10 kilometers during the race.)
Nous avons parcouru le musée en une heure. (We went through the museum in one hour.)

Note: The response may vary slightly depending on the translation engine or source used.

Parcourir – 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 parcourir

Pronoun	Conjugation	Short Example	English Translation
je	parcours	Je parcours la ville.	I traverse the city.
tu	parcours	Tu parcours le parc.	You traverse the park.
il	parcourt	Il parcourt la route.	He travels the road.
elle	parcourt	Elle parcourt la forêt.	She explores the forest.
on	parcourt	On parcourt le chemin.	We travel the path.
nous	parcourons	Nous parcourons le pays.	We travel the country.
vous	parcourez	Vous parcourez la plage.	You traverse the beach.
ils	parcourent	Ils parcourent la montagne.	They explore the mountain.
elles	parcourent	Elles parcourent la rivière.	They traverse the river.