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

Introduction to the verb sommer

Get the present tense conjugation of sommer. Includes a FREE downloadable reference sheet (no email required). Alternatively if you have a lot of text to check then use our free French Grammar Checker – no registration required!

The English translation of the French verb sommer is “to summon” or “to urge.” It is pronounced as “SOH-may.”

Table of Contents

Sommer comes from the Old French word “sumer,” which means “to summon” or “to urge.” In everyday French, it is most often used to express the action of calling someone to appear or requiring them to do something. It can also be used in a more figurative sense to describe a strong urge or desire.

Examples:

Je vais sommer les témoins de l’accident à témoigner lors du procès. (I will summon the witnesses of the accident to testify during the trial.)
Le chef a sommé ses employés de travailler plus dur pour respecter les délais. (The boss urged his employees to work harder to meet the deadlines.)
Elle se sentait sommée par son conscience de dire la vérité. (She felt an urge from her conscience to tell the truth.)

Sommer – 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 sommer

Pronoun	Conjugation	Short Example	English Translation
Je	Je somme	Je somme tous les jours.	I swim every day.
Tu	Tu sommes	Tu sommes un bon nageur.	You are a good swimmer.
Il	Il somme	Il somme dans la piscine.	He swims in the pool.
Elle	Elle somme	Elle somme avec ses amis.	She swims with her friends.
On	On somme	On somme pour se détendre.	We swim to relax.
Nous	Nous sommons	Nous sommons en été.	We swim in the summer.
Vous	Vous sommez	Vous sommez souvent?	Do you swim often?
Ils	Ils somment	Ils somment en compétition.	They swim competitively.
Elles	Elles somment	Elles somment ensemble.	They swim together.