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

Introduction to the verb regretter

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The English translation of the French verb regretter is “to regret.” It is pronounced as [ʁəɡʁəte]. The infinitive form of the verb is “regretter,” which is pronounced the same as the present tense form.

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The word “regretter” comes from the Latin word “regretari,” which means “to bewail.”

In everyday French, “regretter” is most often used to express feelings of sadness or disappointment about something that has happened in the past. It can also be used to express remorse or guilt for a past action.

Examples:

Je regrette de ne pas avoir étudié plus. (I regret not studying more.)
Nous regrettons de ne pas être venus plus tôt. (We regret not coming earlier.)
Il regrette d’avoir dit ces choses méchantes. (He regrets saying those mean things.)

Regretter – 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 regretter

Pronoun	Conjugation	Short Example	English Translation
Je	regrette	Je regrette mes actions.	I regret my actions.
Tu	regrettes	Tu regrettes ton choix.	You regret your choice.
Il	regrette	Il regrette sa décision.	He regrets his decision.
Elle	regrette	Elle regrette de partir.	She regrets leaving.
On	regrette	On regrette de ne pas y aller.	We regret not going.
Nous	regrettons	Nous regrettons notre comportement.	We regret our behavior.
Vous	regrettez	Vous regrettez vos mots.	You regret your words.
Ils	regrettent	Ils regrettent leur absence.	They regret their absence.
Elles	regrettent	Elles regrettent de ne pas avoir aidé.	They regret not helping.