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

Introduction to the verb ternir

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The English translation of the French verb ternir is “to tarnish” or “to stain.” The infinitive form is pronounced “tehr-neer.”

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The word “ternir” comes from the Old French word “trenir,” which means “to stain” or “to sully.” It is most often used in everyday French to describe an object or surface that has become discolored or dull over time.

Examples of usage:

Le temps a fait ternir le métal de la statue. (Time has tarnished the metal of the statue.)
Je ne veux pas que la réputation de ma famille soit ternie par ce scandale. (I don’t want my family’s reputation to be stained by this scandal.)
Les années n’ont pas terni leur amour l’un pour l’autre. (The years have not tarnished their love for each other.)

Ternir – 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 ternir

Pronoun	Conjugation	Short Example	English Translation
Je	Je ternis	Je ternis mon image	I tarnish my image
Tu	Tu ternis	Tu ternis tes bijoux	You tarnish your jewelry
Il	Il ternit	Il ternit sa réputation	He tarnishes his reputation
Elle	Elle ternit	Elle ternit son honneur	She tarnishes her honor
On	On ternit	On ternit l’eau	We tarnish the water
Nous	Nous ternissons	Nous ternissons notre image	We tarnish our image
Vous	Vous ternissez	Vous ternissez le métal	You tarnish the metal
Ils	Ils ternissent	Ils ternissent leur nom	They tarnish their name
Elles	Elles ternissent	Elles ternissent leurs vêtements	They tarnish their clothes