Conjugate savoir in Le Présent (present tense)

In: Level A2, Verbs Tenses & Conjugation, Présent indicatif
Questions: 3

The verb "savoir" ('to know/know how to [do something]') is irregular in Le Présent tense:

Je sais nager.
I can swim.

Tu le sais?
Do you know that?

Il sait compter jusqu'à dix.
He knows how to count up to ten.

Nous savons lacer nos chaussures.
We know how to tie our shoes.

Vous savez votre leçon?
Do you know your lesson?

Ils savent ce que tu penses.
They know what you think.

 

See also : Connaître vs savoir = to know something vs to know how to do

 

Learn more about these related French grammar topics

Présent indicatif

Examples and resources

Il sait compter jusqu'à dix.
He knows how to count up to ten.

Nous savons lacer nos chaussures.
We know how to tie our shoes.

Vous savez votre leçon?
Do you know your lesson?

Je sais nager.
I can swim.

Tu le sais?
Do you know that?

Ils savent ce que tu penses.
They know what you think.

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William C1Kwiziq Q&A regular contributor

Connaitre ou Savoir

Slightly confused here. In the Lawless French Savoir vs Connaitre Quiz. Question no 4 “Il veut ... ce texte par cœur” says that both savoir and connaître are acceptable. However this question “Nous ….. notre leçon par cœur” suggest that only savoir is acceptable. https://www.lawlessfrench.com/quizzes-and-tests/savoir-vs-connaitre-quiz/
Asked 2 years ago
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CécileKwiziq team memberCorrect answer

Hi william,

Having consulted with some French compatriots living in France, we do agree that 'savoir' here is the instinctive verb we would use in both the examples you quote. 

However, it is true that 'connaître' would be acceptable but 'savoir' is better perhaps because of the 'par cœur' which indicate that you know the text and the lesson for sure...

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RonC1 Kwiziq Q&A super contributor
Bonjour William, Here are a couple of links that may be of use to you. This one is written by Laura, a Progress with Lawless French https://www.thoughtco.com/savoir-vs-connaitre-1368940 This link is from the UT Austin French department and I have found it to be quite good http://laits.utexas.edu/tex/gr/virr10.html This link is one that I found online that discusses the difference and having read through it, I think it is right on. http://www.differencebetween.com/difference-between-savoir-and-vs-connaitre/ While I study the Progress with Lawless French quite a bit, at times I find it useful to search other resources to get another point of view explanation. As for your question, I can definitely understand the confusion since the quiz questions seem similar. Perhaps a member of the Kwiziq team will be able to explain the nuances of the difference. Bonne chance,
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William asked:View original

Connaitre ou Savoir

Slightly confused here. In the Lawless French Savoir vs Connaitre Quiz. Question no 4 “Il veut ... ce texte par cœur” says that both savoir and connaître are acceptable. However this question “Nous ….. notre leçon par cœur” suggest that only savoir is acceptable. https://www.lawlessfrench.com/quizzes-and-tests/savoir-vs-connaitre-quiz/

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