Irregular Present Participles
French: Cambridge International GCSE, topic 6.1.14
The Three Irregulars
There are only three irregular present participles: 'être', 'avoir' and 'savoir'
Être - to be
- Être → étant.
Avoir - to have
- Avoir → ayant.
Savoir - to know
- Savoir → sachant
Using the Present Participle
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.
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.
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.
Test yourself on Irregular Present Participles
How do you say 'being thirsty' in French?
What is the present participle for 'savoir'?
Which of these is NOT a present participle?
Which of these is the correct present participle?