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

Introduction to the verb plaquer

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The English translation of the French verb plaquer is “to tackle” or “to cling onto.” The infinitive form of plaquer is pronounced as “plah-kay.”

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The language origin of plaquer can be traced back to the French word “plaque,” meaning “plate” or “flat surface.” It is most often used in everyday French to describe forcefully pushing or grasping onto someone or something.

Examples:

Il a été plaqué au sol par le défenseur. (He was tackled to the ground by the defender.)
La jeune fille a plaqué son petit ami quand elle a découvert qu’il la trompait. (The young girl dumped her boyfriend when she found out he was cheating on her.)
Les feuilles mortes se plaquent contre les fenêtres pendant l’orage. (The dead leaves cling onto the windows during the storm.)

Plaquer – 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 plaquer

Pronoun	Conjugation	Short Example	English Translation
Je	plaque	Je plaque facilement les photos sur le mur.	I easily stick photos on the wall.
Tu	plaques	Tu plaques trop fort le ballon.	You hit the ball too hard.
Il	plaque	Il plaque son adversaire pendant le match.	He tackles his opponent during the game.
Elle	plaque	Elle plaque ses cheveux en arrière avec un bandeau.	She pins her hair back with a headband.
On	plaque	On plaque souvent un billet pour aller en classe affaires.	We often upgrade to business class.
Nous	plaquons	Nous plaquons nos vêtements avant de les repasser.	We smooth out our clothes before ironing them.
Vous	plaquez	Vous plaquez la porte derrière vous en partant.	You shut the door behind you when leaving.
Ils	plaquent	Ils plaquent leur camping-car sur la plage.	They park their RV on the beach.
Elles	plaquent	Elles plaquent leur carte de crédit pour payer la facture.	They use their credit card to pay the bill.