Translation
to attempt, to try; to tempt
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Word origin
From Latin temptare ('to feel, to test, to try, to attempt'), the same verb that gives English 'tempt' and 'attempt'. The two senses of the French verb, trying something and being drawn to something, both sit inside the Latin meaning.
- Origin
- Latin
- Root
- temptare
- English cognates
- tempt, attempt, tentative
Grammar
Conjugation
Regular -er conjugation. Pronouns: je, tu, il/elle, nous, vous, ils/elles.
Indicative
| Person | Present | Imperfect | Past historic | Future | Conditional |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| je | tente | tentais | tentai | tenterai | tenterais |
| tu | tentes | tentais | tentas | tenteras | tenterais |
| il/elle | tente | tentait | tenta | tentera | tenterait |
| nous | tentons | tentions | tentâmes | tenterons | tenterions |
| vous | tentez | tentiez | tentâtes | tenterez | tenteriez |
| ils/elles | tentent | tentaient | tentèrent | tenteront | tenteraient |
Subjunctive
| Person | Present | Imperfect |
|---|---|---|
| je | tente | tentasse |
| tu | tentes | tentasses |
| il/elle | tente | tentât |
| nous | tentions | tentassions |
| vous | tentiez | tentassiez |
| ils/elles | tentent | tentassent |
Imperative
| Person | Affirmative |
|---|---|
| tu | tente |
| nous | tentons |
| vous | tentez |
Non-finite
- Gerund / present participle
- tentant
- Past participle
- tenté · tentée · tentés · tentées
Examples
.
I am going to try my luck one last time.
.
The firefighters attempted to save the two horses.
.
That chocolate cake is very tempting to me.
, .
Nothing tempts him, he always refuses to go out.
.
Give the experiment a go for a week.
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French · Free printables
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Free printable study downloads for the French word "tenter" (to attempt, to try; to tempt): 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 14, lesson 1: tenter, énerver, frais and 7 more words.