A comprehensive overview of French gerunds and participles, including definitions, formation rules, usage examples, and common irregular forms.
This article explores the three related verb forms in French: the participe présent (present participle), the gérondif (gerund), and the participe passé (past participle). It covers how each form is created, how they are used in sentences, and highlights common irregular forms to watch out for.
What Are Gérondif and Participles?
In French, participles are verb forms that can function as adjectives, parts of compound tenses, or even nouns. The gérondif is a special adverbial form that indicates how, when, or why an action is performed. Together, these forms allow for more complex and nuanced expressions.
- Participe présent: expresses ongoing action or can be used adjectivally.
- Gérondif: indicates simultaneous actions or the manner of doing something, using "en" + participe présent.
- Participe passé: used in forming past tenses and as an adjective.
How is the gérondif formed in French?
By adding 'en' before the participe présent.
The gérondif is formed by placing 'en' before the participe présent (which ends in '-ant'). It does not use the infinitive or past participle for this form.
How to Form Each One
Participe présent (Present Participle)
Formed by dropping the -ons from the nous form of the present tense and adding -ant.
| Infinitive | Nous Form | Participe Présent | Example |
|---|---|---|---|
| parler | nous parlons | parlant | parlant (speaking) |
| finir | nous finissons | finissant | finissant (finishing) |
| vendre | nous vendons | vendant | vendant (selling) |
Gérondif (Gerund)
Formed by adding en before the participe présent. It expresses "while doing" or "by doing" something.
| Infinitive | Gérondif | Example |
|---|---|---|
| parler | en parlant | en parlant (while speaking) |
| finir | en finissant | en finissant (while finishing) |
| vendre | en vendant | en vendant (while selling) |
Participe passé (Past Participle)
Regular forms depend on the verb group:
- -er verbs: replace -er with -é (parlé)
- -ir verbs: replace -ir with -i (fini)
- -re verbs: replace -re with -u (vendu)
Irregular past participles have unique forms (see below).
Usage and Examples
Participe présent
- Expressing simultaneous action:
- Il écoute la radio en lisant un livre.
(He listens to the radio while reading a book.)
- As an adjective (usually without "en"):
- Une histoire passionnante.
(A fascinating story.)
- Les enfants chantant sont heureux.
(The singing children are happy.)
- After prepositions like "en", "tout en":
- Tout en travaillant, elle écoute de la musique.
(While working, she listens to music.)
What does 'Tout en travaillant, elle écoute de la musique' mean?
While working, she listens to music.
'Tout en' + participe présent indicates two simultaneous actions: working and listening to music.
Gérondif
- Indicates simultaneous actions:
- Il fait ses devoirs en écoutant de la musique.
(He does his homework while listening to music.)
- Shows cause or means:
- En travaillant dur, tu réussiras.
(By working hard, you will succeed.)
- Expresses condition or manner:
- En parlant doucement, tu seras entendu.
(By speaking softly, you will be heard.)
Participe passé
- Forming compound tenses with "avoir" or "être":
- J'ai fini mes devoirs.
(I finished my homework.)
- Elle est allée au marché.
(She went to the market.)
- Used as an adjective (agrees in gender/number):
- Une lettre écrite hier.
(A letter written yesterday.)
- Des portes ouvertes.
(Open doors.)
- In passive voice:
- Le gâteau est fait par ma mère.
(The cake is made by my mother.)
Common Irregular Forms
| Infinitive | Participe Présent | Gérondif | Participe Passé | Example (Past Participle) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| avoir | ayant | en ayant | eu | J'ai eu une bonne note. |
| être | étant | en étant | été | Elle a été malade. |
| faire | faisant | en faisant | fait | Il a fait ses devoirs. |
| prendre | prenant | en prenant | pris | J'ai pris le train. |
| dire | disant | en disant | dit | Il a dit la vérité. |
| lire | lisant | en lisant | lu | J'ai lu ce livre. |
| écrire | écrivant | en écrivant | écrit | Elle a écrit une lettre. |
| venir | venant | en venant | venu | Il est venu tôt. |
| courir | courant | en courant | couru | J'ai couru ce matin. |
| savoir | sachant | en sachant | su | J'ai su la nouvelle. |
Tip: The participe passé may require agreement in gender and number when used adjectivally or with être in compound tenses.
What is the irregular past participle of 'avoir'?
eu
The past participle of 'avoir' is 'eu', which is irregular and does not follow regular endings.
Summary
- Participe présent = verb root + -ant; used for ongoing action or as an adjective.
- Gérondif = en + participe présent; shows simultaneous action, cause, or manner.
- Participe passé = verb ending changes; used in past tenses, as adjectives, or in passive voice.
Understanding these forms is key to mastering French verb usage and creating more nuanced sentences.
Last updated: Thu Jun 12, 2025
