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

Introduction to the verb talonner

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The English translation of the French verb talonner is “to follow closely” or “to track”. The infinitive form is pronounced as /ta.lɔ.ne/.

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Talonner comes from the French noun “talon”, meaning “heel”. It is most often used in everyday French to describe the action of closely following someone or something, often with the intention of catching up or keeping up with them.

Examples:

Nous avons dû talonner le groupe de randonneurs pour ne pas les perdre de vue. (We had to follow closely behind the group of hikers so as not to lose sight of them.)
Le chien a talonné le chat dans le jardin. (The dog tracked the cat in the garden.)
Le cycliste a passé la ligne d’arrivée après avoir talonné ses concurrents. (The cyclist crossed the finish line after closely following his competitors.)

Talonner – 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 talonner

Pronoun	Conjugation	Short Example	English Translation
Je	je talonne	Je talonne mon adversaire.	I am tracking my opponent.
Tu	tu talonnes	Tu talonnes sans relâche.	You are relentlessly pursuing.
Il	il talonne	Il talonne le troupeau.	He is herding the herd.
Elle	elle talonne	Elle talonne le leader.	She is tailing the leader.
On	on talonne	On talonne l’équipe adverse.	We are chasing the opposing team.
Nous	nous talonnons	Nous nous talonnons mutuellement.	We are pushing each other.
Vous	vous talonnez	Vous talonnez le peloton.	You are trailing the pack.
Ils	ils talonnent	Ils talonnent leurs proies.	They are stalking their prey.
Elles	elles talonnent	Elles talonnent leurs concurrents.	They are hounding their competitors.