French Verb 'prévoir': Complete Guide to Meaning, Conjugation & Usage

French Verb 'prévoir': Complete Guide to Meaning, Conjugation & Usage The French verb "prévoir" is a versatile and essential verb for any French learner. Its meaning can be nuanced depending on the context, making it a verb that requires attention to detail to master correctly. In this comprehensive guide, we'll dive into the different meanings of "prévoir", explore its conjugation in various tenses, provide example sentences, and offer tips for remembering this verb. What Does 'prévoir' Mean in French? At its core, "prévoir" means "to foresee" or "to anticipate". However, depending on the context, it can also mean: * To expect * To predict * To forecast These nuances make "prévoir" a verb that is often used in everyday conversation, especially when discussing plans, schedules, and predictions. Conjugation of 'prévoir' Here's a breakdown of the conjugation for "prévoir" in the present, past, and future tenses:

Pronoun	Present	Passé composé	Futur simple
Jeg	prévoie	ai prévu	prévoirai
Tu	prévois	as prévu	prévoiras
Il/elle/on	prévoie	a prévu	préviendra
Nous	prévoyons	avons prévu	prévoirons
Vous	prévoyez	avez prévu	préviendrez
Ils/elles	prévoient	ont prévu	prévoiront

How to Use 'prévoir' in a Sentence Here are six example sentences that demonstrate the different ways to use "prévoir" in context: * Je prévois que le métro sera en retard ce matin. (I foresee that the subway will be delayed this morning.) * Nous prévoyons une augmentation de 10% des ventes cet été. (We anticipate a 10% increase in sales this summer.) * J'ai prévu mon voyage pour le week-end prochain. (I've planned my trip for next weekend.) * Les météorologues prévoient une tempête pour demain. (Meteorologists predict a storm for tomorrow.) * Le gouvernement prévoit une réduction des impôts à court terme. (The government anticipates a reduction in taxes in the short term.) * J'attends que l'hiver arrive pour sortir mon nouveau manteau. (I'm waiting for winter to come out with my new coat.) Common Expressions and Phrases with 'prévoir' Here are four idiomatic expressions that use "prévoir": * Prévoir la tempête est facile, mais prévenir la catastrophe est impossible. (It's easy to foresee the storm, but preventing the disaster is impossible.) * Il n'y a pas de maladies à prévoir pour les enfants qui jouent dans le parc. (There are no foreseeable illnesses for children playing in the park.) * Les experts économiques prévoient une crise financière prochaine. (Economic experts anticipate a financial crisis soon.) * Prévoir le futur est plus difficile que de se rappeler l'histoire. (Foreseeing the future is more difficult than remembering history.) Tips for Remembering 'prévoir' Here are two tips to help you remember this verb: * Associate "prévoir" with words that mean "to expect" or "to anticipate", as these are common meanings of the verb. * Practice using "prévoir" in sentences, especially those that involve planning, prediction, or anticipation. Conclusion In conclusion, mastering the French verb "prévoir" can take your language skills to the next level. By understanding its different meanings and conjugations, you'll be able to use it confidently in everyday conversation. Remember to practice using "prévoir" in sentences and associate it with words that mean "to expect" or "to anticipate". For more practice exercises and verb conjugation guides, visit My-French.com.