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

Introduction to the verb rendre

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The English translation of the French verb rendre is “to return” or “to give back.” The infinitive form of rendre is pronounced as “rahn-dr’.

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Rendre comes from the Latin word “rendere” which means “to restore” or “to give back.” In everyday French, it is most often used to express the action of giving something back or returning something to its original state or owner.

Examples:

Je dois rendre ce livre à la bibliothèque demain.
(I have to return this book to the library tomorrow.)
Le magasin m’a dit de rendre les chaussures si elles ne me vont pas.
(The store told me to return the shoes if they don’t fit.)
Elle a rendu sa voiture à son ex-mari après le divorce.
(She returned her car to her ex-husband after the divorce.)

Rendre – 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 rendre

Pronoun	Conjugation	Short Example	English Translation
Je	rends	Je rends mon livre à la bibliothèque.	I return my book to the library.
Tu	rends	Tu rends visite à ta famille ce week-end.	You visit your family this weekend.
Il	rend	Il rend service à ses voisins.	He helps his neighbors.
Elle	rend	Elle rend son devoir à son professeur.	She turns in her homework to her teacher.
On	rend	On rend les clés à la réception.	We return the keys to the front desk.
Nous	rendons	Nous rendons hommage aux victimes.	We pay tribute to the victims.
Vous	rendez	Vous rendez visite à votre grand-mère.	You visit your grandmother.
Ils	rendent	Ils rendent leur décision demain.	They will announce their decision tomorrow.
Elles	rendent	Elles rendent visite à leur ami malade.	They pay a visit to their sick friend.