Translation
to spin; to dash off; to tail (someone)
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Word origin
From Late Latin filare ('to spin thread'), from Latin filum ('thread'). The idea of paying out a thread gives both the 'move fast in a straight line' sense and the police sense of following someone.
- Origin
- Latin
- Root
- filum
- English cognates
- file, filament, profile
Grammar
Conjugation
Regular -er conjugation. Pronouns: je, tu, il/elle, nous, vous, ils/elles.
Indicative
| Person | Present | Imperfect | Past historic | Future | Conditional |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| je | file | filais | filai | filerai | filerais |
| tu | files | filais | filas | fileras | filerais |
| il/elle | file | filait | fila | filera | filerait |
| nous | filons | filions | filâmes | filerons | filerions |
| vous | filez | filiez | filâtes | filerez | fileriez |
| ils/elles | filent | filaient | filèrent | fileront | fileraient |
Subjunctive
| Person | Present | Imperfect |
|---|---|---|
| je | file | filasse |
| tu | files | filasses |
| il/elle | file | filât |
| nous | filions | filassions |
| vous | filiez | filassiez |
| ils/elles | filent | filassent |
Imperative
| Person | Affirmative |
|---|---|
| tu | file |
| nous | filons |
| vous | filez |
Non-finite
- Gerund / present participle
- filant
- Past participle
- filé · filée · filés · filées
Examples
.
My grandmother knew how to spin wool.
, ! .
Go on, off you go! You are going to miss your train.
.
The police tailed the suspect for two days.
.
Time flies when you are enjoying yourself.
.
She laddered her tights getting on the bus.
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French · Free printables
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Free printable study downloads for the French word "filer" (to spin; to dash off; to tail (someone)): 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 15, lesson 6: filer, direction, objet and 7 more words.