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

Introduction to the verb sillonner

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The English translation of the French verb sillonner is “to crisscross” or “to traverse.” It is pronounced “see-yohn-ay.”

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The language origin of sillonner comes from the French word “sillon,” which means “furrow” or “trench.” In everyday French, sillonner is most often used to describe the action of moving back and forth across a specific area or path, similar to the way a plow creates furrows in a field.

Examples:

“Les avions sillonnent le ciel au-dessus de la ville.” (The planes crisscross the sky above the city.)
“Je vais sillonner la région pour trouver les meilleurs produits locaux.” (I am going to traverse the region to find the best local products.)
“Les enfants ont sillonné le parc à la recherche de trésors.” (The children crisscrossed the park in search of treasures.)

Sillonner – 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 sillonner

Pronoun	Conjugation	Short Example	English Translation
Je	Sillonne	Je sillonne la campagne	I am crisscrossing the countryside
Tu	Sillones	Tu sillones la ville	You are traversing the city
Il	Sillonne	Il sillonne le fleuve	He is navigating the river
Elle	Sillonne	Elle sillonne la forêt	She is roaming the forest
On	Sillonne	On sillonne les routes	We are zigzagging on the roads
Nous	Sillonnons	Nous sillonnons les champs	We are crisscrossing the fields
Vous	Sillonnez	Vous sillonnez les montagnes	You are trekking through the mountains
Ils	Sillonnent	Ils sillonnent les océans	They are sailing the oceans
Elles	Sillonnent	Elles sillonnent les chemins	They are trekking the paths