Le participe présent

The present participle translates as the “-ing” form of an English verb, for example:

·        parlant:  speaking

·        mangeant:  eating

·        conduisant:  driving

The present participle is formed by dropping the –ons from the nous form of the verb, the adding –ant.

·        parler:  nous parlons = parlant

·        manger:  nous mangeone = mangeant

·        conduire:  nous conduisons = conduisant

There are only three exceptions:

·        avoir:  ayant

·        être:  étant

·        savoir:  sachant

You can use the present participle as a(n):

·        adjective (modifies a noun)

o       you are already very familiar with the present participle as an adjective:

§        un livre amusant

§        une fille intéressante

o       when the present participle functions as an adjective, it must agree with the noun it modifies (add –e for feminine, -s for plural)

·        noun

o       you are also familiar with the present participle as a noun:

§        un étudiant/une étudiante (quelqu’un qui étudie)

§        un gagnant/une gagnante (quelqu’un qui gagne)

o       again, when the present participle functions as a noun, it must agree with the noun it modifies

·        verb

o       describes an action that is taking place at the same time as another action; sometimes introduced by “en,” which translates as “while” or “by”

§        Ayant soif, j’ai bu de l’eau.  Being thirsty, I drank some water.

§        Il regardait le film en mangeant.  He was watching the film while eating.

§        Elle a réussi en étudiant régulièrement.  She succeeded by studying regularly.

o       when the present participle functions as a verb, you do NOT need to add endings (-e or –s).