gérondif
French
editEtymology
editFrom Latin gerundīvus (“of a gerund”), from gerundium (“gerund”), from gerundus (“which is to be carried out”), future passive participle (gerundive) of gerō (“carry, bear”).
Pronunciation
editNoun
editExamples (French gérondifs) |
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Je l'ai découvert en cherchant quelque chose d'autre.
C'est en forgeant qu'on devient forgeron. (proverb)
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gérondif m (plural gérondifs)
- (grammar) a syntactical construction of French composed of the present participle preceded with the preposition en, used to express simultaneity or manner; an adverbial participle
- a Latin gerundive, a verbal adjective expressing necessity
- an English gerund
Adjective
editgérondif (feminine gérondive, masculine plural gérondifs, feminine plural gérondives)
Usage notes
edit- Although gerund is often translated in French by gérondif, the gérondif is not an actual conjugated form, and serves different syntactical uses. Calling the gérondif a gerund may create confusion.
Further reading
edit- “gérondif”, in Trésor de la langue française informatisé [Digitized Treasury of the French Language], 2012.