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      Au Maroc : regular present tense verbs, present participle with 'en'

      Lesson details

      Learning outcome

      I can use present participles of -er, -re, and -ir verbs, expressing two actions happening at the same time, in the context of Morocco's diverse culture.

      Vocabulary and transcripts for this lessons

      Key learning points

      1. Diversity in Morocco's language, culture, and food is a result of blending Berber, Arab, French and Spanish influences.
      2. Four groups of -ir verbs are: verbs like 'choisir', verbs like 'partir', verbs like 'venir' and verbs like 'ouvrir'.
      3. For present participles, remove -ons from the present tense 'nous' form and add -ant: 'écrire '- écrivons' - 'écrivant'.
      4. 'En' + present participle can be used when two actions happen together, e.g. 'il prépare le dîner en chantant'.

      Keywords

      • Present participle - verb form ending in -ant in French; the structure en + present participle translates into English as while or by + -ing

      Common misconception

      I use the French present participle -ant to translate -ing in English.

      The present participle -ant is not the only way to translate -ing in English. Sometimes the French infinitive is needed, where English uses the -ing form as a noun, e.g., 'visiter le Maroc aide à mieux connaître sa culture'.

      Teacher tip

      Task B2 has three linked parts - a, b and c. Part c uses sentences from the previous two parts in a translation task. The tasks focus on the traditional forms of s'asseoir in the present tense, as these remain the more commonly used forms in French.

      Equipment

      A mini whiteaboard and pen, together with pen and paper for making notes, would be useful if available.

      Licence

      This content is © Oak National Academy Limited (2026), licensed on Open Government Licence version 3.0
      except where otherwise stated. See Oak's terms & conditions
      (Collection 2).

      Lesson video

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      Prior knowledge starter quiz

      6 Questions

      Q1.
      What is the definition of a regular verb?

      a verb that changes spelling completely when conjugated
      a verb that is always irregular in every tense
      Correct answer: a verb that follows a consistent and predictable pattern when conjugated
      a verb that can’t be conjugated

      Q2.
      Match the French word to its English meaning:

      Correct Answer:atteindre,to reach, reaching

      to reach, reaching

      Correct Answer:communauté,community

      community

      Correct Answer:local,local

      local

      Correct Answer:selon,according to

      according to

      Correct Answer:sable,sand

      sand

      Correct Answer:plutôt,rather

      rather

      Q3.
      Put the words in the correct order to form a sentence in the present tense.

      1 - les
      2 - gens
      3 - vont
      4 - à
      5 - la
      6 - gare

      Q4.
      Conjugate the verb 'venir' in the present tense for 'nous'.

      Correct Answer: venons, nous venons

      Q5.
      Which of these statements about the French present tense is correct?

      There are two present tenses in French: one for 'I do' and one for 'I am doing.'
      Correct answer: French uses the same form of the present tense for 'I play' and 'I am playing.'
      French doesn't have a present tense.
      French always uses the future tense instead of the present.

      Q6.
      What is the correct present tense form of the verb ouvrir for 'il' (he)?

      Correct Answer: ouvre

      5 Questions

      Q1.
      What contributes to Morocco's cultural diversity?

      the number of train stations
      its location by the Mediterranean Sea
      Correct answer: a blend of Berber, Arab, French, and Spanish influences
      only Arabic traditions

      Q2.
      Put the words in the correct order to form a sentence in the present tense.

      1 - les
      2 - gens
      3 - s'
      4 - assoient
      5 - ici

      Q3.
      What is the French word for a verb form ending in -ant, used with en to express 'while doing'?

      Correct Answer: participle, present participle

      Q4.
      Which sentence correctly shows when -ing in English is NOT translated using -ant in French?

      Il prépare le dîner en chantant.
      Correct answer: Visiter le Maroc aide à mieux connaître sa culture.
      Je marche en regardant les gens.
      Elle travaille en écoutant de la musique.

      Q5.
      What is the present participle of the verb 'distribuer'?

      Correct Answer: distribuant

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