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

Introduction to the verb scratcher

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The English translation of the French verb scratcher is “to scratch.” The infinitive form of the scratcher is pronounced as “skrah-shay.”

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The word scratcher comes from the Old French word “escrachier,” which means “to scratch or claw.” In everyday French, scratcher is most often used to refer to the act of scratching an itch or a surface.

Examples:

Je me suis réveillé avec une piqûre de moustique, je dois me gratter. (Translation: I woke up with a mosquito bite, I have to scratch.)
Le chat adore se faire gratter derrière les oreilles. (Translation: The cat loves to be scratched behind the ears.)
N’ouvre pas la porte avec tes clés, tu vas rayer la peinture. (Translation: Don’t open the door with your keys, you’ll scratch the paint.)

Scratcher – 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 scratcher

Pronoun	Conjugation	Short Example	English Translation
je	je gratte	Je gratte mon bras.	I scratch my arm.
tu	tu grattes	Tu grattes le chat.	You scratch the cat.
il	il gratte	Il gratte la porte.	He scratches the door.
elle	elle gratte	Elle gratte sa tête.	She scratches her head.
on	on gratte	On gratte la voiture.	We scratch the car.
nous	nous grâtons	Nous grâtons le tableau.	We scratch the table.
vous	vous grattez	Vous grattez votre dos.	You scratch your back.
ils	ils grattent	Ils grattent le mur.	They scratch the wall.
elles	elles grattent	Elles grattent leurs oreilles.	They scratch their ears.