6.1.14

Irregular Present Participles

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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' + present participle is used to mean 'while doing something' or 'by 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

1Everyday Activities

2Personal & Social Life

3The World Around Us

4The World of Work

5The International World

6Common Tenses

7Advanced Tenses

8Extra Grammar

8.1Articles

8.2The Passive Voice

8.3Pronouns

8.4Asking Questions

8.5Nouns

8.6Prepositions

8.7Adverbs

8.8Adjectives

8.9Negative

8.10Conjunctions

8.11Miscellaneous

8.12Verbs

8.13Numbers

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