verb: suivre

ByFast French

I. Meanings of “Suivre”

1. To Follow:
The most common usage of “suivre” is to indicate following someone or something. For example:

  • Je suis en train de suivre le guide. (I am following the guide.)
  • Il suit la voiture de près. (He is following the car closely.)

2. To Follow a Course:
“Suivre” can also be used to describe tracking or taking a course of action, such as following a recipe or a study program:

  • Elle suit un cours de cuisine. (She is taking a cooking class.)
  • Ils suivent des études en médecine. (They are pursuing studies in medicine.)

3. To Keep Up With:
In contexts involving keeping up with someone or something, “suivre” is the appropriate verb:

  • Il est difficile de suivre son rythme. (It’s hard to keep up with his pace.)
  • Tu dois suivre les actualités pour être informé. (You need to follow the news to stay informed.)

4. To Understand:
“Suivre” can imply understanding or grasping a situation or conversation:

  • Je ne suis pas sûr de suivre. (I’m not sure I understand.)
  • Il est difficile de suivre cette discussion. (It’s difficult to follow this discussion.)

II. Conjugations in the Present Tense and Passé Composé

Present Tense (suivre is an irregular verb):

  • Je suis (I follow)
  • Tu suis (You follow)
  • Il/elle/on suit (He/she/one follows)
  • Nous suivons (We follow)
  • Vous suivez (You follow)
  • Ils/elles suivent (They follow)

Passé Composé (Past Tense):
The passé composé of “suivre” is formed using the auxiliary verb “avoir” and the past participle “suivi” (an irregular past participle):

  • J’ai suivi (I followed)
  • Tu as suivi (You followed)
  • Il/elle/on a suivi (He/she/one followed)
  • Nous avons suivi (We followed)
  • Vous avez suivi (You followed)
  • Ils/elles ont suivi (They followed)

III. Etymology of “Suivre”

The word “suivre” has its origins in Latin, deriving from “sequi,” which means “to follow.” This Latin root is also the source of English words like “sequel” and “sequence.” Over centuries, “sequi” evolved into “suivre” in Old French, retaining its fundamental meaning of “to follow.”

IV. Idiomatic Expressions with “Suivre”

  1. “Suivre son instinct” (Follow one’s instinct):
  2. “Suivre quelqu’un comme son ombre” (Follow someone like a shadow):
  3. “Suivre son cours” (To follow its course):
  4. “Suivre la trace” (To follow the trail):

Don’t miss new articles!

Get 1 email a week with new articles about French

We don’t spam! Read more in our privacy policy

Similar Posts

  • happen (version 2.0)

    ByFast French

    The English verb “to happen” has various meanings and nuances that can be expressed in different ways in French. The choice of translation depends on the context in which the word is used. This article explores the most common French equivalents for “happen” and provides examples for each. 1. Se produire Se produire is often…

  • inquiéter

    ByFast French

    The French verb “inquiéter” and its reflexive counterpart “s’inquiéter” express worry, concern, or anxiety. While sharing the same root, these verbs have distinct uses and meanings. Basic Meanings “Inquiéter” (transitive form) means “to worry” or “to disturb” someone or something. For example: “S’inquiéter” (reflexive form) means “to worry oneself” or “to be concerned about.” It’s…

  • laid comme un pou

    ByFast French

    The French saying “laid comme un pou” translates literally as “(as) ugly as a louse.” It means “very ugly.” This idiom dates back to the end of the 18th century. Although there are plenty of other insects that are uglier than a louse, which is responsible for head lice infestations, the effects of this insect…

  • savoir

    ByFast French

    The French verb “savoir” is a frequently used verb. It means “to know.” It is different from the verb “connaître,” which means “to know” in the sense of “to be familiar with.” “Savoir” is more like “to know how” (to do something). “Savoir” is an irregular verb, which means it doesn’t follow the usual rules for…