Le Present (Present Tense) Conjugation of the French Verb sous-entendre

Introduction to the verb sous-entendre

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The English translation of the French verb sous-entendre is “to imply” or “to insinuate”. The infinitive form is pronounced “soo-zahn-tahn-druh”.

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The language origin of sous-entendre comes from the Old French words souz, meaning “under”, and entendre, meaning “to understand”. It is most often used in everyday French to convey a hidden or implied meaning in a conversation or statement.

Example 1: “Il a sous-entendu qu’il ne pouvait pas venir dimanche.” (He implied that he couldn’t come on Sunday.)
Example 2: “La professeure a sous-entendu qu’il fallait étudier pour avoir une bonne note.” (The teacher insinuated that we needed to study to get a good grade.)
Example 3: “Elle sous-entendait qu’elle n’était pas intéressée, mais elle a quand même accepté de sortir avec lui.” (She was implying that she wasn’t interested, but she still agreed to go out with him.)

Sous-Entendre – 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 sous-entendre

Pronoun	Conjugation	Short Example	English Translation
je	sous-entends	Je sous-entends souvent des choses sans les dire.	I imply things often without saying them.
tu	sous-entends	Tu sous-entends toujours des messages cachés.	You always imply hidden messages.
il	sous-entend	Il sous-entend une certaine tristesse dans ses paroles.	He implies a certain sadness in his words.
elle	sous-entend	Elle sous-entend une critique envers son patron.	She implies a criticism towards her boss.
on	sous-entend	On sous-entend souvent que les filles sont plus bavardes que les garçons.	People often imply that girls are more talkative than boys.
nous	sous-entendons	Nous sous-entendons que nous avons besoin d’aide.	We imply that we need help.
vous	sous-entendez	Vous sous-entendez quelque chose de drôle.	You imply something funny.
ils	sous-entendent	Ils sous-entendent des choses différentes.	They imply different things.
elles	sous-entendent	Elles sous-entendent souvent des intentions malveillantes.	They often imply malicious intentions.