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

Introduction to the verb retendre

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The English translation of the French verb retendre is “to tighten” or “to stretch.” It is pronounced as “ruh-tahn-dr.”

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The verb retendre comes from the Old French word “tendre,” meaning “to stretch.” It is most often used in everyday French in the context of physically pulling or tightening something, such as a rope or fabric. It can also be used figuratively to mean to make something stricter or more stringent.

Example 1: Je dois retendre les cordes de ma guitare. (I need to tighten the strings of my guitar.)

Example 2: Elle a retendu le tissu sur le cadre du tableau. (She stretched the fabric over the frame of the painting.)

Example 3: Le gouvernement va retendre les règles pour l’obtention de visas. (The government is going to tighten the rules for obtaining visas.)

Retendre – 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 retendre

Pronoun	Conjugation	Short Example	English Translation
je	retends	Je retends mon arc.	I tighten my bow.
tu	retends	Tu retends ta corde.	You tighten your rope.
il	retend	Il retend la toile.	He tightens the canvas.
elle	retend	Elle retend ses muscles.	She tightens her muscles.
on	retend	On retend les ficelles.	We tighten the strings.
nous	retendons	Nous retendons le fil.	We tighten the wire.
vous	retendez	Vous retendez le tissu.	You tighten the fabric.
ils	retendent	Ils retendent la corde.	They tighten the rope.
elles	retendent	Elles retendent les bretelles.	They tighten the straps.