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

Introduction to the verb revenir

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The English translation of revenir is “to come back” or “to return.” It is pronounced as “ruh-vuh-neer.”

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The origin of the verb revenir can be traced back to the Latin word “revenire,” which also means “to come back.” It is a common verb in everyday French and is often used in a variety of contexts.

Here are 3 simple examples of its usage with their respective English translations:

Je vais revenir dans une heure. (I am going to come back in an hour.)
Il a déjà revenu de ses vacances. (He has already returned from his vacation.)
Ne t’inquiète pas, il va revenir. (Don’t worry, he will come back.)

Revenir – 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 revenir

Pronoun	Conjugation	Short Example	English Translation
Je	reviens	Je reviens demain.	I am coming back tomorrow.
Tu	reviens	Tu reviens toujours en retard.	You always come back late.
Il	revient	Il revient de son voyage.	He is coming back from his trip.
Elle	revient	Elle revient du supermarché.	She is coming back from the supermarket.
On	revient	On revient ensemble.	We are coming back together.
Nous	revenons	Nous revenons du cinéma.	We are coming back from the cinema.
Vous	revenez	Vous revenez bientôt ?	Are you coming back soon?
Ils	reviennent	Ils reviennent de vacances.	They are coming back from vacation.
Elles	reviennent	Elles reviennent toujours en retard.	They always come back late.