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The Gerund
The gerund is used in French to perform different things:
| En écoutant la radio, j'ai mangé |
I have eaten listening to the radio.
|
| En sortant, il a perdu ses clés |
When leaving, he lost his keys.
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| En mangeant, elle s'est étranglée |
When eating, she got something
stuck in her throat. |
This gerund is formed using the first person plural of the present
simple and substituting the present simple ending for "ant".
Here are some examples:
| 1st Person Plural |
Gerund |
| Venons |
Venant |
| Étudions |
Étudiant |
| Lisons |
Lisant |
Although there are some exceptions, for example:
| Infinitive |
1st Person plural |
Gerund |
| Savoir |
Savons |
Sachant |
| Être |
Sommes |
Étant |
| Avoir |
Avons |
Ayant |
It's literal translation is working, having, running, etc. Although
you can translate it according to its meaning in the sentence. Some
of the different uses of the gerund in French are:
a) Expressing two activities happening at the same time
| En étudiant, j'écoute
de la musique |
Whilst I study, I listen to music
|
| En parlant, je le regarde |
Whilst I speak , I look at him |
| En travaillant, je pense à elle |
Whilst I work, I think about her |
b) Expressing the cause of an action
| En courant, je suis tombé |
When I was running, I fell over
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| En étudiant, je me suis fatigué(é) |
When I was studying, I tired myself
out. |
| En buvant, il a eu un accident |
When drinking, he had an accident
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c) Expressing a condition
| En étudiant, tu réussiras |
If you study, you will pass |
| En courant, je serai la meilleure |
If I run , I will be the best |
| En dormant, Tu te sentiras mieux |
If you sleep, you will feel better
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d) Expressing a way of doing something
| En faisant du sport, tu seras fort |
By doing sport, you will become
strong. |
| En criant, il réveillera mon frère |
The way he is shouting, he will
wake his brother up. |
| En lisant, j'améliore ma culture |
By reading, I improve my culture
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VOCABULARY
la plage
| Parasol |
Parasol (M) |
Sunstroke |
Insolation (f) |
| Sand |
Sable (m) |
Hat |
Casquette (f) |
| Towel |
Serviette (f) |
To help |
Secourir |
| Beach |
Plage (f) |
Swimming pool |
Piscine (f) |
| Rubber ring |
Flotteur (m) |
Trampoline |
Tremplin (m) |
| To tan |
Bronzer |
Rake |
Râteau (m) |
| Bucket |
Seau (m) |
To swim |
Baigner |
| Spade |
Pelle (f) |
To swim |
Nager |
| Ball |
Pelote (f) |
To snorkle |
Plonger |
| Wave |
Vague (f) |
Shell |
Coquille (f) |
| Swimming costume |
Maillot de bain(m) |
Kite |
Cerf-volant (m) |
| Boat |
Barque (f) |
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