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

Introduction to the verb pourfendre

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The English translation of pourfendre is “to cleave” or “to split.” It is pronounced as “poor-fend-ruh.”

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Pourfendre comes from the Old French word “porfendre,” which is derived from the Latin word “perfindere” meaning “to pierce through.” Most often, pourfendre is used in everyday French to describe the act of cutting or splitting something with force.

Examples:
1) Je dois pourfendre ce bois pour faire du feu. (I have to split this wood to make a fire.)
2) Il a réussi à pourfendre la défense adverse et marquer un but. (He managed to split through the opposing defense and score a goal.)
3) La hache a pourfendu la porte en deux. (The axe cleaved the door in half.)

Pourfendre – 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 pourfendre

Pronoun	Conjugation	Short Example	English Translation
je	pourfends	Je pourfends l’ennemi.	I cut down the enemy.
tu	pourfends	Tu pourfends la viande.	You cut the meat.
il	pourfend	Il pourfend le bois.	He cuts through the wood.
elle	pourfend	Elle pourfend le silence.	She breaks the silence.
on	pourfend	On pourfend les préjugés.	We break down prejudices.
nous	pourfendons	Nous pourfendons l’obscurité.	We cut through the darkness.
vous	pourfendez	Vous pourfendez le tronc.	You cut the trunk.
ils	pourfendent	Ils pourfendent l’air.	They cut through the air.
elles	pourfendent	Elles pourfendent les vagues.	They cut through the waves.