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

Introduction to the verb souligner

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The English translation of the French verb souligner is “to underline” or “to emphasize.” It is pronounced as “sweh-lee-nyay.”

Table of Contents

Souligner comes from the Old French word “soulignier,” which is derived from the Latin word “sublinere,” meaning “to underscore” or “to mark with a line.” It is most often used in everyday French to indicate emphasis or importance, and it is commonly used in written or spoken language.

Example 1: Je voudrais souligner que ce problème est très important. (I would like to underline that this issue is very important.)
Example 2: Il faut souligner l’importance de la communication dans une relation. (It is necessary to emphasize the importance of communication in a relationship.)
Example 3: Le professeur a souligné les points clés du cours pendant la leçon. (The teacher emphasized the key points of the lesson during class.)

Souligner – 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 souligner

Pronoun	Conjugation	Short Example	English Translation
Je	souligne	Je souligne les mots importants.	I underline the important words.
Tu	soulignes	Tu soulignes toujours tes notes.	You always underline your notes.
Il	souligne	Il souligne le titre du livre.	He underlines the book title.
Elle	souligne	Elle souligne les erreurs.	She underlines the mistakes.
On	souligne	On souligne l’importance de la sécurité.	We underline the importance of safety.
Nous	soulignons	Nous soulignons le travail d’équipe.	We underline the teamwork.
Vous	soulignez	Vous soulignez les faits importants.	You underline the important facts.
Ils	soulignent	Ils soulignent les passages importants.	They underline the important passages.
Elles	soulignent	Elles soulignent les mots difficiles.	They underline the difficult words.