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

Introduction to the verb surfiler

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The English translation of the French verb surfiler is “to overcast” or “to hem”. The infinitive form of surfiler is pronounced as “sur-fee-lay”.

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Surfiler comes from the Old French word “surfiler” meaning “to sew”. It is most often used in everyday French in the context of sewing or tailoring, specifically to refer to the finishing technique of sewing a line of stitches along the edge of fabric to prevent it from fraying.

Example 1: Je vais surfiler le bord de cette nappe pour qu’elle ne s’effiloche pas. (I am going to overcast the edge of this tablecloth so it won’t fray.)

Example 2: La couturière a surfiler toutes les coutures de la robe pour qu’elle soit impeccable. (The seamstress overcasted all the seams of the dress to make it perfect.)

Example 3: Il faudra surfiler le tissu avant de le couper pour que les bords ne s’effilochent pas. (We will need to overcast the fabric before cutting it so that the edges won’t fray.)

Surfiler – 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 surfiler

Pronoun	Conjugation	Short Example	English Translation
je	surfile	Je surfile mes vêtements.	I hem my clothes.
tu	surfiles	Tu surfiles ta jupe.	You hem your skirt.
il	surfile	Il surfile son pantalon.	He hems his pants.
elle	surfile	Elle surfile sa robe.	She hems her dress.
on	surfile	On surfile nos rideaux.	We hem our curtains.
nous	surfilons	Nous surfilons nos t-shirts.	We hem our t-shirts.
vous	surfilez	Vous surfilez vos chaussettes.	You hem your socks.
ils	surfilent	Ils surfilent leurs jeans.	They hem their jeans.
elles	surfilent	Elles surfilent leurs jupes.	They hem their skirts.