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

Introduction to the verb solliciter

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The English translation of the French verb solliciter is “to solicit” or “to request”. The infinitive form, solliciter, is pronounced as soh-lee-see-tay.

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Solliciter comes from the Latin word “solicitare” which means “to disturb” or “to stir up”. It is often used in everyday French to mean asking for something or making a request.

Examples of its usage are:

Je vais solliciter une augmentation de salaire auprès de mon patron. (I am going to request a pay raise from my boss.)
Les étudiants ont sollicité l’aide du gouvernement pour réduire les frais de scolarité. (The students requested the government’s help to reduce tuition fees.)
Ne pas solliciter les passants pour des dons sans autorisation. (Do not solicit passersby for donations without permission.)

The response I’m asking for is:

To solicit: to ask for something or make a request.

Solliciter – 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 solliciter

Pronoun	Conjugation	Short Example	English Translation
Je	sollicite	Je sollicite une augmentation.	I request a raise.
Tu	sollicites	Tu sollicites des dons pour une association.	You solicit donations for an organization.
Il	sollicite	Il sollicite l’aide de ses amis.	He solicits the help of his friends.
Elle	sollicite	Elle sollicite un prêt à la banque.	She applies for a loan at the bank.
On	sollicite	On sollicite souvent mon avis.	People often solicit my opinion.
Nous	sollicitons	Nous sollicitons un entretien avec le directeur.	We request a meeting with the manager.
Vous	sollicitez	Vous sollicitez de l’aide auprès de votre famille.	You seek help from your family.
Ils	sollicitent	Ils sollicitent les passants pour leur pétition.	They solicit passersby for their petition.
Elles	sollicitent	Elles sollicitent des bénévoles pour leur projet.	They solicit volunteers for their project.