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Learn to Speak French Online:
French Grammar Guidebook

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Time Expressions

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Venir de, "to have just...," can be used with almost any verb to refer to an action that has just been completed. Click here to view the forms of venir ("to come") in the Present tense.

EXAMPLES
 

Il vient de téléphoner.
He's just called.
Je viens d'acheter du pain.
I've just bought some bread.
Nous venons de partir.
We've just left.

The expression être en train de ("to be in the process of") can be used with any verb to indicate or emphasize that an action is not only taking place, but is ongoing. You will see it used, when the ongoing action needs to be stressed in some fashion:
 

Ne me dérange pas.
Don't bother me.
Je suis en train de parler au chauffeur de taxi.
I am (in the process of) talking to the taxi driver.
Elle ne peut pas vous parler maintenant.
She can't speak to you right now. 
Elle est en train de téléphoner à ses parents.
She's phoning her parents.

Although these two expressions are translated by vastly different tenses in English, the main verb of both expressions is conjugated in the PRESENT TENSE in French.



Examples of Time Expressions

  • D'accord. J'ai de l'ail qui vient d'arriver. Vous en voulez?
  • J'ai décidé de faire la cuisine ce soir et je suis en train de faire les courses.