Verbs: Gerunds

01

Formation

To form the gerund, take the nous form of the verb in the present tense, drop the -ons ending, and replace it with -ant. This rule applies to the vast majority of verbs.

• parler (to speak) → nous parlons → en parlant
• finir (to finish) → nous finissons → en finissant
• boire (to drink) → nous buvons → en buvant

There are only three irregular verbs that do not follow this pattern:

• avoir becomes en ayant (having)
• être becomes en étant (being)
• savoir becomes en sachant (knowing)

02

Expressing Simultaneous Actions

The most common use of the gerund is to indicate that two actions are happening at the same time. In English, this is often translated as "while doing something."

• Je lis le journal en buvant mon café.

  I read the newspaper while drinking my coffee.

• Elle écoute de la musique en faisant du sport.

  She listens to music while exercising.

03

Expressing Manner or Means

The gerund is also used to explain how something is achieved or the method used to do it. In this context, it translates to "by doing something."

• Il a réussi en travaillant beaucoup.

  He succeeded by working a lot.

• Tu ne peux pas vivre sans argent en dormant toute la journée.

  You cannot live without money by sleeping all day.

04

The Subject Rule

A critical rule for using the gerund is that the action described by the gerund must be performed by the subject of the main sentence. You cannot use it if the action is performed by someone else.

For example, in the sentence "I saw him leaving the bank":

• If I was leaving the bank, you use the gerund: Je l'ai vu en sortant de la banque.
• If he was leaving the bank, you cannot use the gerund. You must use the infinitive or a relative clause: Je l'ai vu sortir de la banque.

05

Emphasis and Opposition

You can place the word tout before en to emphasize the simultaneity or to point out a contradiction between two actions. This often translates to "even though," "while," or "all the while."

• Il travaille tout en étudiant à l'université.

  He works while also studying at the university.

• Elle pleure tout en riant.

  She is crying while laughing.