Ch 21 · Lesson 17French · Chapter 21 · Lesson 17 · Grammar primer
En mangeant: the present participle and the gérondif
The -ant form from the stem (, ; , , are irregular) and + -ant for while, by and if: , .
The short version
, .
Why?Hide
Build the -ant form from the stem ( gives ; only , and break the rule) and in front. is while eating, can be by working, and can be if you leave early.
The French present participle is the -ant form, built from the stem. With in front it becomes the gérondif, the French while, by and if doing. It never builds a tense: I am eating is .
| Use | French | English |
|---|---|---|
| the form | | speaking |
| while | . | He sings while he works. |
| by | , . | By working, you will succeed. |
| if | , . | If you leave early, you will be on time. |
| an -ing tense | . | I am eating. |
| after a preposition | | before leaving |
Forming it: the nous stem + -ant
Take the form of the present, drop - and add -ant. The rule survives most irregular verbs, because their form already carries the change:
| Verb | nous form | Participle |
|---|---|---|
| | |
| | |
| | |
| | |
| | |
| | |
Three verbs ignore the form and are learned by heart:
| Verb | Participle | English |
|---|---|---|
| | being |
| | having |
| | knowing |
, .- Being ill, he stayed at home., .- Knowing the truth, she left.
En + -ant: the gérondif
The bare participle is fairly formal. The form you will use every day is the gérondif, plus the participle. It does three jobs:
| Job | French | English |
|---|---|---|
| while | , . | While eating, he watches TV. |
| while | . | She sings while doing the washing-up. |
| by (how) | . | He earns his living selling cars. |
| by (how) | . | I learn by speaking every day. |
| if | , . | If you leave early, you'll avoid the crowds. |
The proverb puts the by meaning in one line: forgeant forgeron. - Practice makes perfect (literally, it is by forging that one becomes a blacksmith).
is the only preposition followed by the -ant form. Every other one takes the infinitive (below).
Going further: One subject only and the rest of the guide, when you want them. This lesson does not need them.
Practice
Practise this lesson
10-question session
One question at a time, mixed across the exercises in this lesson. Miss one and it comes back round before the end.
French · Free printables
Worksheets for this lesson
Worksheets with answer keys built in. Open any one to view, print or save.
Free for members
The printable worksheets, infographics and PDFs are free with an account. Start a free week and download as many as you like.
Start your free weekLesson 17 of 28 in this chapter