The present participle in French

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The present participle

The participe présent (present participle) is a form of verb similar to the English ‘-ing’ form. It is invariable and always ends with -ant.
Les personnes portant un chapeau sont priées de se présenter à l’accueil. People wearing a hat are requested to report to reception.
We often use it in the same way as a relative clause introduced by qui (who).
Les personnes dansant sur la table sont mes amis = Les personnes qui dansent sur la table sont mes amis. The people dancing on the table are my friends.
To form the present participle → the radical (1st person plural or nous form of the present) + -ant.
Infinitive
Present
Present participle
Arriver
nous arrivons
arrivant
Pouvoir
nous pouvons
pouvant
Finir
nous finissons
finissant
Here are a couple of irregular verbs:
Avoir
ayant
Être
étant

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