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

Introduction to the verb surélever

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The English translation of the French verb surélever is “to elevate” or “to raise.” It is pronounced as “suh-ray-luh-vay.”

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The word surélever comes from the combination of the French words “sur” (on, upon) and “élever” (to raise). In everyday French, it is most often used to describe physically raising or elevating something, such as a building or an object.

Example 1: Les ouvriers ont surélevé la toiture de la maison pour ajouter un étage. (The workers elevated the roof of the house to add a floor.)

Example 2: Le maçon utilise une grue pour surélever les blocs de béton. (The mason uses a crane to raise the concrete blocks.)

Example 3: La montgolfière a été surélevée dans le ciel par le vent. (The hot air balloon was lifted into the sky by the wind.)

Surélever – 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 surélever

Pronoun	Conjugation	Short Example	English Translation
je	suréléve	Je suréléve la table.	I am raising the table.
tu	surélèves	Tu surélèves le mur.	You are raising the wall.
il	surélève	Il surélève le toit.	He is raising the roof.
elle	surélève	Elle surélève la voiture.	She is lifting the car.
on	surélève	On surélève le poids.	One is lifting the weight.
nous	surélevons	Nous surélevons le plancher.	We are raising the floor.
vous	surélevez	Vous surélevez le meuble.	You are raising the furniture.
ils	surélèvent	Ils surélèvent la bannière.	They are raising the banner.
elles	surélèvent	Elles surélèvent la barrière.	They are raising the barrier.