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

Introduction to the verb rattraper

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The English translation of the French verb rattraper is “to catch up” or “to make up for.” The infinitive form, rattraper, is pronounced as “rat-trap-ay.”

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Rattraper is derived from the Old French word “retreper,” which means “to pick up.” It is most often used in everyday French as a transitive verb, meaning it requires a direct object to complete its meaning. It can also be used reflexively, with the reflexive pronoun “se,” to indicate that the subject is catching up or making up for something for themselves.

Examples:

Je dois rattraper mon retard dans mes études. (I have to catch up on my studies.)
Nous devons nous rattraper pour le temps perdu. (We have to make up for lost time.)
Les coureurs ont tout fait pour rattraper le peloton. (The runners did everything to catch up with the pack.)

Rattraper – 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 rattraper

Pronoun	Conjugation	Short Example	English Translation
Je	Je rattrape	Je rattrape mon retard.	I catch up on my delay.
Tu	Tu rattrapes	Tu rattrapes ton frère.	You catch up with your brother.
Il	Il rattrape	Il rattrape son adversaire.	He catches up with his opponent.
Elle	Elle rattrape	Elle rattrape son ami.	She catches up with her friend.
On	On rattrape	On rattrape le temps perdu.	We make up for lost time.
Nous	Nous rattrapons	Nous rattrapons notre retard.	We catch up on our delay.
Vous	Vous rattrapez	Vous rattrapez votre retard.	You catch up on your delay.
Ils	Ils rattrapent	Ils rattrapent leur retard.	They catch up on their delay.
Elles	Elles rattrapent	Elles rattrapent leur retard.	They catch up on their delay.