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

Introduction to the verb tordre

Get the present tense conjugation of tordre. 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 tordre is “to twist” or “to bend”. It is pronounced as “tohr-druh”.

Table of Contents

The language origin of tordre can be traced back to Latin, specifically the word “torquere” which means “to twist”. In everyday French, tordre is often used to describe physical actions such as twisting or bending objects, as well as metaphorical actions such as distorting or contorting the truth.

Three simple examples of tordre in everyday French are:

Je vais tordre cette branche pour la faire entrer dans le sac. (I am going to twist this branch to fit it into the bag.)
Il faut tordre le câble pour qu’il ne dépasse pas. (You need to bend the cable so it doesn’t stick out.)
Ne me tords pas les mots, dis-moi la vérité ! (Don’t twist my words, tell me the truth!)
I am going to twist this branch to fit it into the bag.
You need to bend the cable so it doesn’t stick out.
Don’t twist my words, tell me the truth!

Tordre – 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 tordre

Pronoun	Conjugation	Short Example	English Translation
Je	Je tords	Je tords mes cheveux.	I twist my hair.
Tu	Tu tords	Tu tords le papier.	You twist the paper.
Il	Il tord	Il tord la feuille.	He twists the sheet.
Elle	Elle tord	Elle tord la ficelle.	She twists the string.
On	On tord	On tord le tuyau.	One twists the hose.
Nous	Nous tordons	Nous tordons les branches.	We twist the branches.
Vous	Vous tordez	Vous tordez les câbles.	You twist the cables.
Ils	Ils tordent	Ils tordent le fil.	They twist the wire.
Elles	Elles tordent	Elles tordent les branches.	They twist the branches.