11.1.11

Irregular Present Participles

Test yourself

The Three Irregulars

There are only three irregular present participles: 'être', 'avoir' and 'savoir'

Illustrative background for Être - to beIllustrative background for Être - to be ?? "content

Être - to be

  • Être → étant.
Illustrative background for Avoir - to haveIllustrative background for Avoir - to have ?? "content

Avoir - to have

  • Avoir → ayant.
Illustrative background for Savoir - to knowIllustrative background for Savoir - to know ?? "content

Savoir - to know

  • Savoir → sachant

Using the Present Participle

Illustrative background for En + present participleIllustrative background for En + present participle ?? "content

En + present participle

  • 'En' + the present participle is used to mean 'by doing something' or 'while doing something'.
    • Il lit le journal en mangeant.
      • He reads the paper while eating.
    • En faisant cela , vous pouvez améliorer vos compétences.
      • By doing that, you can improve your skills.
Illustrative background for Modify a nounIllustrative background for Modify a noun ?? "content

Modify a noun

  • Ayant soif, j'ai bu un litre d'eau.
    • Being thirsty, I drank a litre of water.
  • Je me suis blessé au genou en jouant au rugby..
    • I hurt my knee playing rugby.
Illustrative background for As an adjectiveIllustrative background for As an adjective ?? "content

As an adjective

  • When they are used as an adjective, they follow the same rules as an adjective.
    • Un film amusant.
      • A funny film.
    • Des gens intéressants.
      • Interesting people.
    • L'équipe gagnante.
      • The winning team.

Jump to other topics

1The Changing Nature of Family

2The 'cyber-society'

3The Place of Voluntary Work

4Diverse Society

5The Marginalised

6How Criminals Are Treated

7A Culture Proud of its Heritage

8Cinema: the 7th Art Form

9Demonstrations, strikes – who holds the power?

10Politics & Immigration

11Conjugation & Use of Tenses

11.1Present Tense

11.2Perfect Tense

11.3Imperfect Tense

11.4Future Tense

11.5Conditional Tense

11.6Future Perfect Tense

11.7Conditional Perfect Tense

11.8Pluperfect Tense

12Extra Grammar

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