If you're living in Luxembourg or planning to move here, learning French isn’t just useful—it’s essential. Whether you’re preparing for professional life, citizenship requirements, or simply daily conversations, mastering French verb tenses is key to speaking confidently.
From the practical présent to the nuanced subjonctif, this guide explains the core French tenses you need, with examples and tips to help you use them correctly.
1. Présent: The Tense of Everyday Life
The présent is the most commonly used French tense. It describes what’s happening now, things that are generally true, and sometimes even scheduled future events.
✅ Example:
Je parle français. – I speak French.
Je prends le bus à 8h. – I take the bus at 8am.
💡 In Luxembourg: You'll hear this tense daily—at work, in shops, or at the commune. The French présent is more versatile than English, as it combines both Present Simple and Present Continuous tenses.
2. Passé Composé: Talking About Something that Just Happened
Used for completed actions, the passé composé is vital for recounting experiences—like when you just arrived in Luxembourg or what you did over the weekend.
✅ Example:
J’ai rencontré mon conseiller. – I have met with my advisor.
Elle est allée à la banque. – She has gone to the bank.
Tip: Most verbs use avoir as an auxiliary verb, but verbs of motion and some others use être remember to change them in accordance with gender and number.
3. Imparfait: Describing Past Context
The imparfait sets the scene or describes repeated past actions. Think of it as the background for your passé composé moments.
✅ Example:
Quand j’étais à Esch, je travaillais dans une école. – When I lived in Esch, I worked at a school.
Imparfait is commonly used in storytelling.
4. Futur Simple: Making Plans
Use this tense to talk about your future plans—like studying for your exam or preparing for a job interview.
✅ Example:
Je passerai le test de citoyenneté en Octobre. – I will take the citizenship exam in October.
5. Conditionnel: Hypotheticals and Politeness
The conditionnel is perfect for polite speech or imagining different outcomes.
✅ Example:
Je voudrais un rendez-vous. – I would like an appointment.
Si j’avais le temps, je suivrais le cours. – If I had time, I would take a course.
6. Subjonctif: Expressing Emotion and Uncertainty
This advanced mood is often required in formal or emotional statements—very common in legal or official contexts.
✅ Example:
Il faut que vous remplissiez ce formulaire. – You must fill in this form.
Je ne pense pas qu’il soit disponible. – I don’t think he is available.
💡 Useful for oral exams and navigating administration in Luxembourg, where formal French is expected.
Want to Master These Tenses with Expert Help?
At Educateme, we specialize in teaching French to expats, professionals, and future citizens of Luxembourg. Our courses are designed to guide you from beginner to advanced, using real-life practice while having the flexibility to have the classes online from your home or office.
Whether you’re preparing for the DELF or DALF, improving workplace communication, or simply want to feel more at home in Luxembourg, we’re here to help.