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

Introduction to the verb valoir

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The English translation of the French verb “valoir” is “to be worth” or “to be equivalent to.” It is pronounced as “va-lwahr” in its infinitive form.

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The origin of valoir can be traced back to the Latin word “valere” meaning “to be strong or powerful.” In everyday French, valoir is commonly used to express the value, importance, or equivalence of something. It can also be used in idiomatic expressions to indicate someone’s ability or worth.

Examples:

Cette bague vaut une petite fortune. (This ring is worth a small fortune.)
Tes conseils valent de l’or pour moi. (Your advice is worth gold to me.)
Il vaut mieux être en retard que jamais. (It’s better to be late than never.)

Valoir – 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 valoir

Pronoun	Conjugation	Short Example	English Translation
je	vaux	Je vaux bien.	I am doing well.
tu	vaux	Tu vaux cher.	You are expensive.
il	vaut	Il vaut mieux prendre un parapluie.	It is better to take an umbrella.
elle	vaut	Elle vaut son pesant d’or.	She is worth her weight in gold.
on	vaut	On vaut mieux que ça.	We (or one) are better than that.
nous	valons	Nous valons mieux ensemble.	We are better together.
vous	valez	Vous valez de l’or.	You are worth gold.
ils	valent	Ils valent la peine d’attendre.	They are worth the wait.
elles	valent	Elles valent mieux que ça.	They are better than that.