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

Introduction to the verb poursuivre

Get the present tense conjugation of poursuivre. Includes a FREE downloadable reference sheet (no email required). Alternatively if you have a lot of text to check then use our free French Grammar Checker – no registration required!

The English translation of the French verb poursuivre is “to pursue.” It is pronounced “poor-sweev-ruh.”

Table of Contents

Poursuivre comes from the Old French word “poursivre,” which means “to follow,” and ultimately from the Latin word “prosequi,” which also means “to follow.”

In everyday French, poursuivre is most often used to indicate the action of chasing or following someone or something, both physically and figuratively. It can also mean to continue or carry on with an activity.

For example:

Je poursuis le chat qui s’est échappé. (I am pursuing the cat that escaped.)
Elle poursuit ses études en France. (She is continuing her studies in France.)
Les policiers ont poursuivi le voleur à travers la ville. (The police chased the thief through the city.)

(Note: The French verb poursuivre can also have other meanings, such as “to sue” or “to prosecute,” but these are less common in everyday usage.)

I hope this provides the information you were looking for. Is there anything else I can assist you with?

Poursuivre – 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 poursuivre

Pronoun	Conjugation	Short Example	English Translation
Je	poursuis	Je poursuis mes études.	I pursue my studies.
Tu	poursuis	Tu poursuis ton rêve.	You pursue your dream.
Il	poursuit	Il poursuit sa carrière.	He pursues his career.
Elle	poursuit	Elle poursuit ses passions.	She pursues her passions.
On	poursuit	On poursuit notre discussion.	We continue our discussion.
Nous	poursuivons	Nous poursuivons notre voyage.	We continue our journey.
Vous	poursuivez	Vous poursuivez vos études.	You pursue your studies.
Ils	poursuivent	Ils poursuivent leur entraînement.	They pursue their training.
Elles	poursuivent	Elles poursuivent leur carrière.	They pursue their career.