Gerunds and participles are verb forms used to express actions in relation to other actions. They can function as adverbs, adjectives, or parts of verb tenses.
How to Form Them
- Identify the nous form of the present tense.
- Remove -ons.
- Add the appropriate ending:
- gérondif: en + [verbe racine] + -ant
- participe présent: [verbe racine] + -ant
- participe passé: See rules below.
Regular Formation Examples
| Pronoun | Verb (parler) | Participe Passé | Participe Présent | Gérondif |
|---|
| nous | nous parlons | parlé | parlant | en parlant |
| nous | nous finissons | fini | finissant | en finissant |
| nous | nous vendons | vendu | vendant | en vendant |
Irregular Participes Passés
| Infinitive | Participe Passé | Meaning |
|---|
| faire | fait | done |
| prendre | pris | taken |
| écrire | écrit | written |
| voir | vu | seen |
| avoir | eu | had |
Rules for Participe Passé (Past Participle)
- With -er verbs, ending is -é (parlé).
- With -ir verbs, ending is -i (fini).
- With -re verbs, ending is -u (vendu).
- Irregular verbs must be memorized (voir → vu).
- When used with être (reflexive/passive), agree in gender/number (elle est partie).
- When used as an adjective, agree with the noun (les lettres écrites).
Usage of Each Form
| Form | Role | Example |
|---|
| Gérondif | Expresses simultaneous or background action, means "while," "by," or "upon" doing something. Always starts with en. | Il écoute de la musique en travaillant.*<br>He listens to music while working. |
| Participe Présent | Functions like an adjective or a noun (gerund). Describes an ongoing action or state. Does not use en. | Une histoire captivante.<br>A captivating story.<br>Je l'ai vu sortant de la maison.*<br>I saw him leaving the house. |
| Participe Passé | Indicates a completed action. Used in perfect tenses with avoir or être. Can also serve as an adjective. | J'ai mangé.<br>I ate.<br>Les portes sont fermées.*<br>The doors are closed. |
Examples in Context
| Form | Example (French) | Example (English) |
|---|
| Gérondif | Tu peux me répondre en partant ?* | Can you answer me before leaving? |
| Participe Présent | Sachant la vérité, il est parti.* | Knowing the truth, he left. |
| Participe Passé | La lettre écrite, elle l'a envoyée.* | The letter written, she sent it. |
Summary
- Gérondif: Adverbial; expresses "while doing" or "by doing"; formed with en + [verbe]-ant.
- Participe Présent: Adjectival or noun role; describes an ongoing action; formed with [verbe]-ant (no en).
- Participe Passé: Completed action; used in grammar and as an adjective; formation depends on verb group or irregular pattern.
