Mastering the French Gérondif (en + participe présent)

Estimated reading time: 4 minutes

Bienvenue, French learners! In this post, we dive into le gérondif, a versatile French construction formed with en + participe présent. You’ll discover when, why, and how to use it, plus handy comparisons to Hindi structures (habitual past, completed past) to boost your comprehension. Let’s get started!

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What Is the Gérondif?

The gérondif is formed by putting en before the present participle (gerund) of a verb.

• Construction: en + [nous-form stem] + -ant
• Example:
  • Français: en parlant
  • English: “while speaking”

It expresses an action related to the main verb—often simultaneous, causal, conditional, or descriptive.

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Four Main Uses

1. Simultaneous Actions

When two actions happen at the same time.

• Rule: Main verb and gérondif share the same subject.
• Hindi Equivalent: “ते हुए” (e.g., “खाते हुए”, habitual past sense)

Example

Français	Word-for-word ENG	Hindi Pronunciation
En écoutant la radio, il étudiait.	While listening the radio, he was studying.	en ekoo­tã la raadio, il étu­diait

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2. Cause / Reason

When you want to explain why something happened.

• Rule: Gérondif introduces the cause.
• Hindi Equivalent: “को देखते हुए” or “क्योंकि” in past narration.

Example

Français	Word-for-word ENG	Hindi Pronunciation
En voyant la pluie, nous sommes rentrés.	Seeing the rain, we went back inside.	en vwa­jã la plea, nou som ran­tre

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3. Condition

When you express an if/when clause in a more formal or literary style.

• Rule: Gérondif replaces “si … verb” for conditions.
• Hindi Equivalent: “अगर” or “यदि” in hypothetical/conditional past.

Example

Français	Word-for-word ENG	Hindi Pronunciation
En étudiant, tu réussirais l’examen.	If studying, you would pass the exam.	en e­tu­dian, tu réu­sirié l’ex­a­men

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4. Manner / Attitude

When you describe how the main action is done.

• Rule: It adds a descriptive adverbial nuance.
• Hindi Equivalent: “…करके” or descriptive participle phrases.

Example

Français	Word-for-word ENG	Hindi Pronunciation
Il travaille en silence en tapant.	He works in silence typing.	il trava­y sã­slã en ta­pan

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Hindi Grammar Comparisons

Usage Type	French Gérondif	Hindi Equivalent
Simultaneous	en parlant …	…ते हुए (e.g., खाते हुए)
Cause / Reason	en voyant …	क्योंकि / को देखते हुए
Condition	en sachant …	अगर / यदि
Manner	en faisant …	…करके (e.g., मुस्कुराकर)

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Examples & Pronunciation Guide

1. Simultaneous
   • En marchant, elle écoutait de la musique.
   • While walking, she listened to music.
   • en mar­shan, el ékoo­tay də la mu­zik
2. Cause
   • En voyant le bus partir, j’ai couru.
   • Seeing the bus leave, I ran.
   • en vwa­jã lə bys par­te, jé koo­ru
3. Condition
   • En travaillant dur, vous obtiendrez une promotion.
   • If working hard, you will get a promotion.
   • en trava­yan dyur, vouz ob­tjã­dré yn pro­mo­sion
4. Manner
   • Elle lit en buvant du café.
   • She reads while drinking coffee.
   • el lee en bu­van dyu ka­fé

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Summary Chart

Use	Form	French Example	Meaning in English	Hindi Parallel
Simultaneous	en + participe	En parlant, il prend des notes.	While speaking, he takes notes.	…ते हुए (ते हुए वह नोट्स लेता है)
Cause	en + participe	En voyant, nous avons ri.	Seeing it, we laughed.	क्योंकि देख कर (हम हँसे)
Condition	en + participe	En étudiant, tu réussirais.	If studying, you would succeed.	अगर पढ़ाई करता, तुम सफल होते।
Manner	en + participe	En jouant, elle sourit.	Playing, she smiles.	खेलकर वह मुस्कुराती है।

• Mastering Hypothèses with “Si” (Présent/Futur, Imparfait/Conditionnel) for B1 French Learners
• Understanding Comparative Adjectives
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• Chinese HSK 4