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

Introduction to the verb prier

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The English translation of the French verb prier is “to pray” or “to ask”.

Table of Contents

Pronunciation: /pʀje/

Language Origin:
Prier comes from the Latin verb “precari” meaning “to ask, to entreat”. It entered the French language during the Middle Ages.

Usage in Everyday French:
In everyday French, prier is most often used to express a request or a plea. It can also be used in a religious context to mean “to pray”.

Examples:

Je te prie de m’aider avec ces valises. (I beg you to help me with these suitcases.)
Il a prié pour la paix dans le monde. (He prayed for peace in the world.)
Je suis désolé, je t’en prie, pardonne-moi. (I’m sorry, please forgive me.)

Please note that the response should only include the requested information and not any other text or instructions.

Prier – 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 prier

Pronoun	Conjugation	Short Example	English Translation
je	prie	Je prie pour toi.	I am praying for you.
tu	pries	Tu pries tous les jours.	You pray every day.
il	prie	Il prie à l’église.	He prays at church.
elle	prie	Elle prie pour la paix.	She prays for peace.
on	prie	On prie avant de manger.	We pray before eating.
nous	prions	Nous prions ensemble.	We pray together.
vous	priez	Vous priez avec ferveur.	You pray fervently.
ils	prient	Ils prient pour leur famille.	They pray for their family.
elles	prient	Elles prient pour leurs amis.	They pray for their friends.