This document provides information on using the present participle in French. It explains that the present participle ends in "-ing" in English and "-ant" in French and is used to show simultaneous actions. Some irregular French present participles are être as "étant", avoir as "ayant", and savoir as "sachant". The present participle is used in French in similar ways as in English, either as a verb or adjective. It should not be used to form tenses or with prepositions other than "en". Examples are given of forming and using the present participle in French sentences.

1. Le Participe PrésentLe Participe Présent
Using the Present Participle inUsing the Present Participle in
French!French!

2. So, what’s the Present Participle?So, what’s the Present Participle?
• The Present Participle is the verb form which ends in
-ing in English.
• It is used to show an action which takes place at the
same time as another action.
eg. Coming into the room, I saw my friend.
• It may also be used with the prepositions “upon’,
“whilst”, “by”, or ‘on”.
eg. On turning the corner, you will see the church.
• The Present Participle may be used as an adjective - eg
a charming boy.

3. So, how do I do that in French??So, how do I do that in French??
• In French, replace the -ons ending of the nous
form of the Present with -ant.
travaillons travaillant
finissons finissant
attendons attendant
allons allant
faisons faisant
voyons voyant etc

4. Are there any irregulars?Are there any irregulars?
• Bien sûr! - This IS French, after all!!
• The irregular Present Participles are:
être étant
avoir ayant
savoir sachant

5. And how do I USE it in French?And how do I USE it in French?
• Basically, the Present Participle is used in the same
way as in English.
• As a verb, to show simultaneous action.
Entrant dans la pièce, j’ai vu mon copain.
• With the preposition “en” - no other preposition may
be used. En translates as ‘whilst’, ‘by’, ‘upon’ or ‘on’.
En tournant le coin, tu verras l’église.
• As an adjective - it then agrees.
un garçon charmant, une fille charmante

6. When NOT to use it!When NOT to use it!
• DON’T use it to try to form a tense.
I am working is only ever je travaille.
I was working may only be je travaillais.
• DON’T use it with any preposition other than “en”. Use
the INFINITIVE instead.
Il est parti, sous la pluie, sans me parler, sans me
regarder.
• DON’T use it after verbs of perception - again, use the
INFINITIVE.
J’entends jouer les enfants. I hear the children playing.
(Note word order.)

7. Form the Present Participle...Form the Present Participle...
• parler
• choisir
• entendre
• aller
• faire
• lire
• écrire
• devoir
• parlant
• choisissant
• entendant
• allant
• faisant
• lisant
• écrivant
• devant (yep, cd be confusing)

8. Using the Present ParticipleUsing the Present Participle
• En me promenant
dans le Quartier
Latin, j’ai trouvé les
arènes de Lutèce.

9. Using the present ParticipleUsing the present Participle
• En faisant du
parapente, on voit
tant de choses.

10. Using the present ParticipleUsing the present Participle
• En faisant du
parapente, on voit
tant de choses.