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

Introduction to the verb terrasser

Get the present tense conjugation of terrasser. Includes a FREE downloadable reference sheet (no email required). Alternatively if you have a lot of text to check then use our free French Grammar Checker – no registration required!

The English translation of the French verb terrasser is “to conquer” or “to defeat”. The infinitive form is pronounced “teh-rah-say”.

Table of Contents

The word terrasser comes from the French word “terre” meaning “earth” and the suffix “-er” which is commonly used to form verbs. It is most often used in everyday French to describe physically overcoming or defeating something, whether it be an obstacle, an enemy, or a difficult task.

Examples:

Je vais terrasser cette montagne de travail. – I am going to conquer this mountain of work.
Il a été terrassé par une maladie grave. – He was defeated by a serious illness.
Les troupes ennemies ont été terrassées par notre armée. – The enemy troops were conquered by our army.

Terrasser – 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 terrasser

Pronoun	Conjugation	Short Example	English Translation
Je	je terrasse	Je terrasse le sol	I am leveling the ground
Tu	tu terrasses	Tu terrasses les mauvaises herbes	You are eradicating the weeds
Il	il terrasse	Il terrasse la maison	He is demolishing the house
Elle	elle terrasse	Elle terrasse le mur	She is tearing down the wall
On	on terrasse	On terrasse le jardin	We are flattening the garden
Nous	nous terrassons	Nous terrassons la route	We are laying the road
Vous	vous terrassez	Vous terrassez le terrain	You are landscaping the land
Ils	ils terrassent	Ils terrassent la colline	They are conquering the hill
Elles	elles terrassent	Elles terrassent le rocher	They are toppling the rock