Why don't we use gerunds in these cases
- « Back to Q&A Forum
- « Previous questionNext question »
Why don't we use gerunds in these cases
Bonjour Suzanne,
‘pressant’, ‘partant’, ‘discutant’ are all present participles and not gerund (see link below)
The gerund (Gérondif) is usually introduced by ‘en’: ‘en + -ant’
en mangeant = while / by eating
en buvant = while / by drinking
‘Sans’ + present participle doesn’t exist in French. You use the infinitive instead:
Without listening = sans écouter
Without rushing = sans se presser
Before leaving = avant de partir
Passer [son temps / sa journée etc.] à + infinitive verb:
Il passe son temps à regarder la télé = he spends his time watching TV
Il passe sa journée à discuter au téléphone = he spends the day talking on the phone
Follow the link which will give you more details on the difference between the gerund and the present participle: le-participe-present-et-le-gerondif
I hope this is helpful.
Bonne journée !
Don't have an account yet? Join today
Find your French level for FREE
Test your French to the CEFR standard
Find your French level