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

Introduction to the verb pardonner

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The English translation of the French verb pardonner is “to forgive”. It is pronounced “pahr-doh-nay”.

Table of Contents

Pardonner comes from the Latin word “perdonare”, meaning to grant or remit. In everyday French, it is primarily used in the context of apologizing or asking for forgiveness. It can also mean to excuse or to let something go.

Je te pardonne pour ton erreur. (I forgive you for your mistake.)
Il m’a demandé de le pardonner. (He asked me to forgive him.)
Merci de m’avoir pardonné. (Thank you for forgiving me.)

Pardonner – 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 pardonner

Pronoun	Conjugation	Short Example	English Translation
je	pardonne	Je pardonne à mon frère.	I forgive my brother.
tu	pardonnes	Tu pardonnes à ta sœur.	You forgive your sister.
il	pardonne	Il pardonne à son ami.	He forgives his friend.
elle	pardonne	Elle pardonne à sa mère.	She forgives her mother.
on	pardonne	On pardonne à un étranger.	We forgive a stranger.
nous	pardonnons	Nous pardonnons à nos ennemis.	We forgive our enemies.
vous	pardonnez	Vous pardonnez à vos voisins.	You forgive your neighbors.
ils	pardonnent	Ils pardonnent à leur ennemi.	They forgive their enemy.
elles	pardonnent	Elles pardonnent à leur collègue.	They forgive their colleague.