mettre is a cornerstone of French verb vocabulary, essential for expressing the idea of placing, setting, or starting something. Its proper use opens up understanding of related verbs and expressions, making it indispensable for learners.
- French verb mettre means "to put," "to place," or "to set."
- It is highly versatile, used for physical, abstract, and idiomatic "puttings."
- Mettre is the root of many related verbs (e.g., remettre, promettre).
- Mastery of mettre expands both comprehension and expressive power in French.
Conjugation Overview
Mettre is an irregular verb in the -re family. Its stem is mett- in most forms, but some endings are unique. It covers all usual moods and tenses.
- Infinitive: mettre
- Root/stem: mett-
- Family: irregular -re verb
- Key forms: je mets, tu mets, il met, nous mettons, vous mettez, ils mettent
- Typical usage: present, past (PC: mis), future, conditional, subjunctive
*mettre* is an irregular -re verb.
Correct forms include je mets, nous mettons, vous mettez, ils mettent.
Present Indicative
The core forms for mettre in the present show placement or action starting now.
| Person | Form | Example | Translation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Je | mets | Je mets la table. | I put/set the table. |
| Tu | mets | Tu mets ton manteau. | You put on your coat. |
| Il/Elle/On | met | Il met la clé dans la porte. | He puts the key in... |
| Nous | mettons | Nous mettons les livres... | We put/place the... |
| Vous | mettez | Vous mettez la musique... | You put on the music. |
| Ils/Elles | mettent | Ils mettent les valises... | They put the suitcases... |
- Use mettre to express physical placement or starting an action (e.g., turning on a device).
*mettre* means 'to put,' 'to place,' or 'to set.'
The stem for *mettre* is 'mett-'
The past participle of *mettre* is 'mis.'
Past Participle and Passé Composé
Mettre uses mis for the past participle. In passé composé, pair it with avoir.
- Past participle: mis
- Passé composé: avoir + mis
- Example: J'ai mis..., Tu as mis..., Ils ont mis...
Passé Composé Example:
| Subject | Form | Example | Translation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Je | ai mis | J'ai mis la table. | I put (laid) the table. |
| Tu | as mis | Tu as mis ton avis. | You gave your opinion. (lit: put your opinion) |
| Il/Elle | a mis | Elle a mis la robe. | She put on the dress. |
| Nous | avons mis | Nous avons mis les clés. | We put the keys away. |
| Vous | avez mis | Vous avez mis la musique. | You put on the music. |
| Ils/Elles | ont mis | Ils ont mis les cartons. | They put the boxes... |
The correct past participle is 'mis'.
Correct is 'Ils ont mis...'
Future and Conditional
The stem for both future and conditional is mettr-.
| Mood | Ending Example (Je) | Example | Translation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Future | mettr + ai | Je mettrai... | I will put... |
| Conditional | mettr + ais | Je mettrais... | I would put... |
Full Idea:
| Tense | Je Form | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| Future | mettrai | I will put |
| Conditional | mettrais | I would put |
The future/conditional stem is 'mettr-'.
'I will put' is 'Je mettrai.'
'I would put' is 'Je mettrais.'
Common Expressions with Mettre
Mettre appears in many idiomatic expressions, expanding its usage beyond just physical placing.
| Expression | Literal Meaning | Actual Meaning | Example |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mettre la table | To put the table | To set the table | Elle met la table |
| Mettre son grain de sel | To put one’s grain of salt | To give unsolicited advice | Il met toujours son grain de sel |
| Mettre en marche | To put in motion | To start (a machine) | Mets la voiture en marche |
| Mettre fin à | To put an end to | To end something | Ils ont mis fin au contrat |
| Mettre à (+ infinitive) | To put oneself to... | To begin doing something | Elle s’est mise à étudier |
Mettre la table means to set the table.
'Mettre en marche' means to start (a machine).
'Mettre fin à' means to put an end to something.
Related Verbs: Mettre Family
Several important verbs are formed by adding prefixes to mettre, with meanings that fit the prefix.
| Verb | Meaning | Example | Translation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Remettre | To put back/submit | Il remet ses devoirs. | He submits his homework. |
| Promettre | To promise | Elle promet d’aider. | She promises to help. |
| Admettre | To admit | Il admet son erreur. | He admits his mistake. |
| Soumettre | To submit | Elle soumet une idée. | She submits an idea. |
Related verbs include transmettre and permettre, as well as remettre, promettre, admettre.
'Remettre' means to put back or to resubmit.
'Promettre' means to promise.
Conclusion
mettre is a vital French verb that opens doors to many expressions and related verbs. Its unique conjugation and broad applicability make it essential for students aiming for fluency.
- mettre means "to put" and is used both literally and figuratively.
- It is an irregular -re verb with important forms in all tenses.
- Mastery of mettre includes understanding idioms and related verbs like remettre and promettre.
The verb is 'mettre,' meaning 'to put.'
*mettre* is used for placing, starting, and even expressing opinions (putting in your two cents).
The past participle of *mettre* is 'mis.'