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

Introduction to the verb tarer

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The English translation of the French verb tarer is “to calibrate” or “to adjust”. It is pronounced “tah-ray”.

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Tarer comes from the Old French word “tarrer” which means “to reduce” or “to diminish”. It is most often used in everyday French in the context of mechanics or engineering, to refer to the process of adjusting or calibrating a machine or instrument to make it function properly.

Three simple examples of tarer in everyday French are:

Il faut tarer la balance avant de peser les ingrédients. (The scale needs to be calibrated before weighing the ingredients.)
Le mécanicien a taré le moteur pour améliorer sa performance. (The mechanic adjusted the engine to improve its performance.)
Les guitares doivent être tarées avant chaque concert. (The guitars need to be calibrated before each concert.)

Tarer – 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 tarer

Pronoun	Conjugation	Short Example	English Translation
je	jeter	Je jette de l’eau dans le seau.	I pour water into the bucket.
tu	jetes	Tu jetes des déchets dans la poubelle.	You throw garbage into the trash can.
il	jette	Il jette son sac sur le lit.	He throws his bag onto the bed.
elle	jette	Elle jette un coup d’oeil à sa montre.	She glances at her watch.
on	jette	On jette souvent du pain aux canards.	We often feed bread to the ducks.
nous	jetons	Nous jetons les feuilles mortes dans le jardin.	We throw the dead leaves into the garden.
vous	jetez	Vous jetez vos mouchoirs usagés dans la poubelle.	You throw your used tissues into the trash can.
ils	jettent	Ils jettent les bouteilles vides dans le recyclage.	They throw empty bottles into the recycling.
elles	jettent	Elles jettent leurs vêtements sales dans le panier à linge.	They throw their dirty clothes into the laundry basket.