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

Introduction to the verb ramasser

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The English translation of the French verb ramasser is “to pick up” or “to gather.” It is pronounced as “rah-mah-say.”

Table of Contents

Ramasser comes from the Old French word “ramasse,” which means “to collect” or “to gather.” It is most often used in everyday French to refer to picking up or gathering objects or things.

Examples:

Je vais ramasser les feuilles mortes dans le jardin. (I will pick up the dead leaves in the garden.)
N’oublie pas de ramasser tes jouets avant de partir. (Don’t forget to gather your toys before leaving.)
Nous devons ramasser toutes les affaires avant de déménager. (We have to gather all our belongings before moving.)

Ramasser – 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 ramasser

Pronoun	Conjugation	Short Example	English Translation
je	ramasse	Je ramasse des feuilles.	I pick up leaves.
tu	ramasses	Tu ramasses des pommes.	You pick up apples.
il	ramasse	Il ramasse des déchets.	He picks up trash.
elle	ramasse	Elle ramasse des fleurs.	She picks up flowers.
on	ramasse	On ramasse des cailloux.	We pick up rocks.
nous	ramassons	Nous ramassons des bâtons.	We pick up sticks.
vous	ramassez	Vous ramassez des champignons.	You pick up mushrooms.
ils	ramassent	Ils ramassent des coquillages.	They pick up seashells.
elles	ramassent	Elles ramassent des noix.	They pick up nuts.