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

Introduction to the verb tempérer

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The English translation of the French verb tempérer is “to temper.” The infinitive form, “tempérer” is pronounced as “tahm-peh-ray.”

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The word “tempérer” comes from the Latin word “temperare,” meaning “to mix in proper proportion.” In modern day French, it is used to mean “to moderate,” “to adjust,” or “to balance.”

Example 1: Il faut tempérer ses propos en présence d’enfants. (One must moderate their words in the presence of children.)
Example 2: Le chef a tempéré l’assaisonnement pour éviter que le plat soit trop épicé. (The chef adjusted the seasoning to avoid the dish being too spicy.)
Example 3: Le professeur a tempéré ses attentes pour les élèves en difficulté. (The teacher tempered their expectations for the struggling students.)

Tempérer – 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 tempérer

Pronoun	Conjugation	Short Example	English Translation
je	tempère	Je tempère mon café.	I temper my coffee.
tu	tempères	Tu tempères ton enthousiasme.	You temper your enthusiasm.
il / elle	tempère	Il / Elle tempère ses émotions.	He / She tempers his / her emotions.
on	tempère	On tempère nos attentes.	We temper our expectations.
nous	tempérons	Nous tempérons nos réactions.	We temper our reactions.
vous	tempérez	Vous tempérez vos critiques.	You temper your criticisms.
ils / elles	tempèrent	Ils / Elles tempèrent leur colère.	They temper their anger.