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

Introduction to the verb renoncer

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The English translation of the French verb renoncer is “to renounce.” It is pronounced as “ruh-nohn-say.”

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Renoncer originated from the Latin word “renuntiare,” meaning to disclaim or reject. In everyday French, it is most often used to express the act of giving up or relinquishing something, typically a belief, desire, or right. It can also be used to convey the idea of renouncing or abandoning a position or title.

Examples:

Je renonce à mon rêve de devenir une pop star. (I give up my dream of becoming a pop star.)
Elle a renoncé à sa nationalité française pour devenir citoyenne américaine. (She renounced her French nationality to become an American citizen.)
Après des années de lutte, il a finalement renoncé à son poste de PDG. (After years of struggle, he finally gave up his position as CEO.)

Renoncer – 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 renoncer

Pronoun Conjugation Short Example English Translation

Pronoun	Conjugation	Short Example	English Translation
Je	renonce	Je renonce à mes rêves	I give up on my dreams
Tu	renonces	Tu renonces souvent	You give up often
Il	renonce	Il renonce à ses responsabilités	He renounces his responsibilities
Elle	renonce	Elle renonce à son amour	She gives up on her love
On	renonce	On renonce toujours aux mêmes choses	We always give up on the same things
Nous	renonçons	Nous renonçons à nos droits	We renounce our rights
Vous	renoncez	Vous renoncez à vos habitudes	You give up your habits
Ils	renoncent	Ils renoncent à leur projet	They give up on their project
Elles	renoncent	Elles renoncent à leurs rêves	They give up on their dreams