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

Introduction to the verb retourner

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The English translation of the French verb retourner is “to return” or “to go back.” The infinitive form is pronounced “ruh-toor-nay.”

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Retourner is derived from the Latin verb “tornare” which means “to turn.” In everyday French, it is used to describe the action of going back to a previous place or state. It can also be used figuratively to mean “to go back to a previous topic” or “to change one’s mind.”

Examples:

Je vais retourner à la maison après le travail. (I am going to return home after work.)
Elle a décidé de retourner à ses études. (She has decided to go back to her studies.)
Le débat a rapidement retourné à la politique. (The debate quickly returned to politics.)

Retourner – 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 retourner

Pronoun	Conjugation	Short Example	English Translation
je	retourne	Je retourne chez moi.	I return home.
tu	retournes	Tu retournes toujours au même endroit.	You always return to the same place.
il	retourne	Il retourne sa veste.	He changes his mind.
elle	retourne	Elle retourne son sac pour trouver ses clés.	She turns her bag upside down to find her keys.
on	retourne	On retourne souvent au restaurant de notre première rencontre.	We often go back to the restaurant of our first date.
nous	retournons	Nous retournons à la maison après le travail.	We return home after work.
vous	retournez	Vous retournez vos vêtements avant de les mettre dans la machine à laver.	You turn your clothes inside out before putting them in the washing machine.
ils	retournent	Ils retournent les tables pour préparer la salle pour la fête.	They turn the tables over to prepare the room for the party.
elles	retournent	Elles retournent leurs chaises pour faire face à la scène.	They turn their chairs to face the stage.