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

Introduction to the verb séquestrer

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The English translation of séquestrer is “to seize” or “to confiscate”. It is pronounced as “say-kes-tray”.

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The word séquestrer comes from the Latin word “sequestrare”, meaning “to separate” or “to set apart”. In everyday French, it is commonly used to refer to situations where someone or something is taken or held by force or against their will. Here are three examples of its usage:

Les autorités ont séquestré les biens du criminel. (The authorities seized the criminal’s assets.)
Les manifestants ont séquestré l’administration de l’université. (The protesters have occupied the university’s administration offices.)
La famille a été séquestrée pendant plusieurs heures par les cambrioleurs. (The family was held captive for several hours by the burglars.)

Séquestrer – 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 séquestrer

Pronoun	Conjugation	Short Example	English Translation
je	séquestre	Je séquestre mes économies.	I sequester my savings.
tu	séquestres	Tu séquestres ton temps pour rien.	You sequester your time for nothing.
il	séquestre	Il séquestre les documents importants.	He sequesters important documents.
elle	séquestre	Elle séquestre les clés de la voiture.	She sequesters the car keys.
on	séquestre	On séquestre des témoins pour le procès.	We sequester witnesses for the trial.
nous	séquestrons	Nous séquestrons les fonds nécessaires.	We sequester the necessary funds.
vous	séquestrez	Vous séquestrez les biens de la personne.	You sequester the person’s belongings.
ils	séquestrent	Ils séquestrent leurs ennemis.	They sequester their enemies.
elles	séquestrent	Elles séquestrent leur liberté.	They sequester their freedom.