It's used extensively in both spoken and written language, so studying it is essential to take your French to the next level. After basic topics such as simple and complex prepositions in French , it is time to delve deeper into gérondifs.
Let's look together at how it is formed, the uses of the French gerund, and exercises to test your skills.
The French gérondif links two actions performed by the same subject. It is formed very simply: en + the present participle (for example en mangeant, "while eating"). It is used constantly in speech and writing to express simultaneity, cause, manner, or condition. This guide from SPRACHCAFFE explains how to form it, when to use it, the most common set expressions, and gives you two exercises with answer keys.
The gérondif is en + present participle. To build it you first need the present participle.
To form the present participle, take the nous form of the verb in the present tense, remove the -ons ending, and add -ant. Using the nous form matters, because it captures spelling changes and irregular stems.
Three very common verbs have irregular present participles:
These are the only true exceptions. Some verbs merely look odd because they follow the nous form: croire gives croyant, since nous croyons has a "y".
A few verbs adjust their spelling for ease of pronunciation (euphonic reasons), exactly as they do in the nous form:
Like the English "-ing," the gérondif connects actions, but note one key limit: it does not translate the present continuous. For "I am eating," French uses the present tense (je mange) or être en train de + infinitive (je suis en train de manger), never "je suis mangeant."
The gérondif is used to express:
Simultaneity (two actions at once, same subject): - Comme d'habitude, tu parles en mangeant. → As usual, you talk while eating. - Sophie a écrit une lettre en écoutant de la musique. → Sophie wrote a letter while listening to music.
For simultaneity you can often use pendant que ("while") instead: - En marchant, vous regardez le ciel. → While walking, you look at the sky. - Pendant que vous marchez, vous regardez le ciel. → While you walk, you look at the sky.
Cause or means (how or why something happens): - Ils sont tombés en courant. → They fell while running (because they were running). - Je paie mes factures en travaillant honnêtement. → I pay my bills by working honestly.
Condition (by doing X, Y follows): - Tu te sentiras mieux en prenant le médicament. → You will feel better by taking the medicine. - En te comportant bien en classe, tu obtiendras d'excellents résultats. → By behaving well in class, you will get excellent results.
1. aimer (to love) = aimer
2. acheter (to buy) = acheter
3. marcher (to walk) = marcher
4. avoir (to have) = avoir
5. disparaître (to disappear) = disparaître
6. croire (to believe) = croire
7. recommencer (to start again) = recommencer
8. manger (to eat) = manger
9. boire (to drink) = boire
10. découvrir (to discover) = découvrir
Answer key: 1. en aimant 2. en achetant 3. en marchant 4. en ayant 5. en disparaissant 6. en croyant 7. en recommençant 8. en mangeant 9. en buvant 10. en découvrant
Answer key: 1. En découvrant 2. en mangeant 3. Tout en le sachant 4. en lisant 5. En riant / en plaisantant 6. En attendant 7. En ayant 8. en écoutant 9. en courant 10. en buvant
