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Le participe présent et le gérondif

Definition.  

The participe présent/present participle expresses an action that happens at the same time as the action of the main verb.  

TIP: In English, these are often words ending in -ing.

Formation.

1. To form the present participle of all verbs except three, take the stem of the nous form of the present tense verb and add -ant.

2.  Gérondif = en + le participe passé.

Uses:

1.  The participe present can replace qui + a conjugated verb.  It indicates that two conditions or actions are happening at the same time.

  2.  The gérondif (gerund) can be translated by while, upon, by.

NOTE:  The participe présent is tied to the noun.  The gerondif is tied to the verb.