ils étudient
The English phrase 'they are studying' is translated into French as ils étudient.
The phrase is used to describe a group of people engaged in the action of gaining knowledge through study.
Which one should you use?
Unlike English, which uses a continuous aspect ('are studying'), French uses the simple present ils étudient to express both 'they study' and 'they are studying'.
How does it change in a sentence?
The verb étudient is the third-person plural present tense form of the verb étudier.
Did you know?
- The word ils can be used to refer to a mixed-gender group of people. Even if there are ninety-nine women and only one man, the masculine plural ils is used to describe them all.
- The word étudier is a direct relative of the English word 'study'. Both share a common ancestor in the Latin word studium, which originally referred to eagerness or zeal.
- In Old French, the words for 'he' and 'they' were identical: il. The plural 's' in ils étudient only began appearing in certain regions around the 13th century.
Examples in context
- Ils étudient le français pour leur examen.They are studying French for their exam.
- Elles sont en train d'étudier l'histoire.They are studying history.
- Ils sont en train de potasser pour leur examen de maths.They are cramming for their math exam.
- Ils étudient pour l'examen.They are studying for the exam.
- Ils étudient à la bibliothèque.They are studying at the library.
- Où sont les élèves ? Ils étudient l'histoire.Where are the students? They are studying history.
Example conversation
Manon and Gabriel are looking for their classmates in a cafe.
- ManonOù sont nos amis ?Where are our friends?
- GabrielIls étudient au parc.They are studying at the park.
- ManonGabriel, tu veux les rejoindre ?Gabriel, do you want to join them?
- GabrielOui, j'ai besoin de réviser aussi.Yes, I need to review too.
Sources
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries ils, CC BY-SA 4.0.
