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

Introduction to the verb répondre

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The English translation of répondre is “to answer” or “to reply”. It is pronounced as “ray-pawn-druh” in the infinitive form.

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The language origin of répondre can be traced back to the Latin word “respondere” which means “to respond” or “to answer”. It entered the French language through Old French and has been used in everyday French conversation and writing since then.

Examples:

Je vais répondre à ton email demain matin. (I will answer your email tomorrow morning.)
Il n’a pas répondu à mes questions. (He did not reply to my questions.)
Vous devez répondre à cette question pour terminer le test. (You must answer this question to finish the test.)

Répondre – 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 répondre

Pronoun	Conjugation	Short Example	English Translation
Je	réponds	Je réponds à ton message.	I am replying to your message.
Tu	réponds	Tu réponds toujours si vite.	You always respond so quickly.
Il	répond	Il répondra à tes questions.	He will answer your questions.
Elle	répond	Elle répond à son patron.	She is responding to her boss.
On	répond	On répond aux critiques.	We are responding to the criticism.
Nous	répondons	Nous répondons à toutes les demandes.	We respond to all requests.
Vous	répondez	Vous répondez au téléphone.	You answer the phone.
Ils	répondent	Ils répondent aux emails rapidement.	They respond to emails quickly.
Elles	répondent	Elles répondent à leurs parents.	They respond to their parents.