Translation
to prevent; to stop
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Word origin
From Late Latin impedicare ('to catch, entangle, shackle'), from in- ('in') plus pedica ('fetter, snare'), itself from pes, pedem ('foot'). The same impedicare gives English impeach, and the related impedire gives impede.
- Origin
- Latin
- Root
- impedicare
- English cognates
- impeach, impede
Grammar
Conjugation
Regular -er conjugation. Pronouns: je, tu, il/elle, nous, vous, ils/elles.
Indicative
| Person | Present | Imperfect | Past historic | Future | Conditional |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| je | empêche | empêchais | empêchai | empêcherai | empêcherais |
| tu | empêches | empêchais | empêchas | empêcheras | empêcherais |
| il/elle | empêche | empêchait | empêcha | empêchera | empêcherait |
| nous | empêchons | empêchions | empêchâmes | empêcherons | empêcherions |
| vous | empêchez | empêchiez | empêchâtes | empêcherez | empêcheriez |
| ils/elles | empêchent | empêchaient | empêchèrent | empêcheront | empêcheraient |
Subjunctive
| Person | Present | Imperfect |
|---|---|---|
| je | empêche | empêchasse |
| tu | empêches | empêchasses |
| il/elle | empêche | empêchât |
| nous | empêchions | empêchassions |
| vous | empêchiez | empêchassiez |
| ils/elles | empêchent | empêchassent |
Imperative
| Person | Affirmative |
|---|---|
| tu | empêche |
| nous | empêchons |
| vous | empêchez |
Non-finite
- Gerund / present participle
- empêchant
- Past participle
- empêché · empêchée · empêchés · empêchées
Examples
.
Nothing can stop me from coming.
.
The noise prevents him from sleeping.
.
I cannot help laughing.
.
Nothing can stop me from achieving my dream.
.
The noise prevents me from sleeping at night.
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French · Free printables
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Free printable study downloads for the French word "empêcher" (to prevent; to stop): 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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Start your free week (no card)This word is taught in chapter 10, lesson 2: empêcher, dangereux, dos and 6 more words.