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

Introduction to the verb tracer

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The English translation of the French verb tracer is “to trace” or “to draw.” It is pronounced as “trah-say” in its infinitive form.

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Tracer comes from the Latin word “trahere” meaning “to pull or draw.” In everyday French, it is used to refer to the act of drawing or sketching. It can also be used to describe the process of tracking or following someone or something.

Examples:

Je vais tracer un plan pour la rénovation de ma maison. (I am going to draw a plan for the renovation of my house.)
La police a tracé le parcours du voleur à l’aide des caméras de surveillance. (The police traced the route of the thief using surveillance cameras.)
Mon fils adore tracer des formes géométriques avec son crayon. (My son loves to trace geometric shapes with his pencil.)

Tracer – 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 tracer

Pronoun	Conjugation	Short Example	English Translation
Je	Je trace	Je trace mon chemin.	I trace my path.
Tu	Tu traces	Tu traces ton itinéraire.	You trace your itinerary.
Il	Il trace	Il trace sa route.	He traces his route.
Elle	Elle trace	Elle trace sa propre voie.	She traces her own way.
On	On trace	On trace une ligne droite.	We trace a straight line.
Nous	Nous traçons	Nous traçons notre avenir.	We trace our future.
Vous	Vous tracez	Vous tracez votre propre chemin.	You trace your own path.
Ils	Ils tracent	Ils tracent leur parcours.	They trace their journey.
Elles	Elles tracent	Elles tracent leur propre route.	They trace their own route.