Translation
to hold, to possess; to detain
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Word origin
From Latin detinere ('to hold back'), from de- and tenere ('to hold'). English 'detain' has the same source.
- Origin
- Latin
- Root
- detinere
- English cognates
- detain, tenant, tenacious
Grammar
Conjugation
Regular french-irregular conjugation. Pronouns: je, tu, il/elle, nous, vous, ils/elles.
Indicative
| Person | Present | Imperfect | Past historic | Future | Conditional |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| je | détiens | détenais | détins | détiendrai | détiendrais |
| tu | détiens | détenais | détins | détiendras | détiendrais |
| il/elle | détient | détenait | détint | détiendra | détiendrait |
| nous | détenons | détenions | détînmes | détiendrons | détiendrions |
| vous | détenez | déteniez | détîntes | détiendrez | détiendriez |
| ils/elles | détiennent | détenaient | détinrent | détiendront | détiendraient |
Subjunctive
| Person | Present | Imperfect |
|---|---|---|
| je | détienne | détinsse |
| tu | détiennes | détinsses |
| il/elle | détienne | détînt |
| nous | détenions | détinssions |
| vous | déteniez | détinssiez |
| ils/elles | détiennent | détinssent |
Imperative
| Person | Affirmative |
|---|---|
| tu | détiens |
| nous | détenons |
| vous | détenez |
Non-finite
- Gerund / present participle
- détenant
- Past participle
- détenu · détenue · détenus · détenues
Examples
.
She holds the world record for the hundred metres.
.
That company holds sixty per cent of the market.
.
The suspect has been in custody for three days.
.
He held important information about the case.
.
The police detained several people for checks.
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French · Free printables
détenir: worksheet, infographic and listicle
Free printable study downloads for the French word "détenir" (to hold, to possess; to detain): a worksheet with the answer key built in, an infographic, and a sentence listicle. Open any one to view, print or save.
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