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

Introduction to the verb ressasser

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The English translation of the French verb ressasser is “to dwell on/to keep going over”. It is pronounced as “ruh-sah-say”.

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Ressasser comes from the French word “sasser” which means “to move back and forth”. In everyday French, it is often used to describe the act of repetitively thinking about something negative or unpleasant, and being unable to let go of those thoughts.

Examples:

Je ne peux pas m’empêcher de ressasser les moments douloureux de mon passé. (I can’t help dwelling on the painful moments of my past.)
Arrête de ressasser tes erreurs, il est temps de passer à autre chose. (Stop going over your mistakes, it’s time to move on.)
Elle passe son temps à ressasser les problèmes de sa vie plutôt que de les résoudre. (She spends her time dwelling on the problems in her life instead of solving them.)

Ressasser – 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 ressasser

Pronoun	Conjugation	Short Example	English Translation
Je	ressasse	Je ressasse mes souvenirs	I dwell on my memories
Tu	ressasses	Tu ressasses toujours les mêmes choses	You keep going over the same things
Il	ressasse	Il ressasse ses erreurs	He dwells on his mistakes
Elle	ressasse	Elle ressasse ses peurs	She obsesses over her fears
On	ressasse	On ressasse souvent le passé	We often dwell on the past
Nous	ressassons	Nous ressassons nos conversations	We rehash our conversations
Vous	ressassez	Vous ressassez vos arguments	You rehash your arguments
Ils	ressassent	Ils ressassent leurs problèmes	They dwell on their problems
Elles	ressassent	Elles ressassent leurs soucis	They obsess over their worries