Understanding the Difference Between "Venir de" and "ÊTre en train de" in French
Introduction
Mastering verb constructions is essential for sounding more natural in French. Two commonly confused phrases are "Venir de" and "Être en train de", both of which help express different aspects of time and action. While "Venir de" is used for the recent past, "Être en train de" is used for an ongoing action in the present. Many French learners mix them up because both require auxiliary verbs and follow specific structures. In this article, we will break down each phrase, explain their meanings and usage, and provide clear examples to help you master them with confidence.
What Does "Venir de" Mean?
The phrase "Venir de" + [infinitive] is used to express an action that has just happened. In English, it translates to "to have just done something."
For example:
Je viens de manger. (I just ate.)
Elle vient de partir. (She just left.)
Nous venons de finir nos devoirs. (We just finished our homework.)
How to Conjugate "Venir de"
To use "Venir de," conjugate "venir" in the present tense, followed by "de" and an infinitive verb.
SubjectConjugation of "Venir"ExampleJeviens deJe viens de lire (I just read.)Tuviens deTu viens de finir (You just finished.)Il/Elle/Onvient deElle vient de partir (She just left.)Nousvenons deNous venons de rentrer (We just came back.)Vousvenez deVous venez de voir ce film (You just saw this movie.)Ils/Ellesviennent deIls viennent de manger (They just ate.)
Key Points About "Venir de"
Used for recent past actions.
The time frame is immediate or very short.
The verb following "de" always stays in the infinitive.
What Does "Être en train de" Mean?
The phrase "Être en train de" + [infinitive] is used to describe an action that is happening right now or is in progress.
For example:
Je suis en train de lire. (I am in the middle of reading.)
Elle est en train de cuisiner. (She is in the middle of cooking.)
Nous sommes en train d'étudier. (We are in the process of studying.)
How to Conjugate "Être en train de"
To use "Être en train de," conjugate "être" in the present tense, followed by "en train de" and an infinitive verb.
SubjectConjugation of "Être"ExampleJesuis en train deJe suis en train de travailler (I am working.)Tues en train deTu es en train de parler (You are speaking.)Il/Elle/Onest en train deIl est en train de manger (He is eating.)Noussommes en train deNous sommes en train d'écrire (We are writing.)Vousêtes en train deVous êtes en train de regarder la télé (You are watching TV.)Ils/Ellessont en train deIls sont en train de jouer (They are playing.)
Key Points About "Être en train de"
Used for actions happening at this exact moment.
Emphasizes that an action is in progress.
The verb following "de" always stays in the infinitive.
Key Differences Between "Venir de" and "Être en train de"
Feature Venir de Être en train de Meaning Recent past action Ongoing present action English Equivalent"Just did something""In the middle of doing something "Example: Je viens de finir mon travail. (I just finished my work.) Je suis en train de travailler. (I am working right now.)
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Mistake 1: Using "Venir de" for ongoing actions
❌ Je viens de manger maintenant. (I just ate now.) → Incorrect! "Venir de" refers to past actions, not ongoing ones. ✔ Je suis en train de manger maintenant. (I am eating right now.)
Mistake 2: Using "Être en train de" for recent past
❌ Je suis en train de finir mon livre hier. (I am in the middle of finishing my book yesterday.) → Incorrect! "Être en train de" cannot be used for the past. ✔ Je viens de finir mon livre hier. (I just finished my book yesterday.)
Practical Exercises
Exercise 1: Fill in the Blanks
Fill in the blanks with the correct form of "Venir de" or "Être en train de".
Je ____ manger. (I just ate.)
Nous ____ regarder un film. (We are watching a movie.)
Ils ____ arriver. (They just arrived.)
Elle ____ parler au professeur. (She is talking to the teacher.)
Answers:
viens de
sommes en train de
viennent de
est en train de
Conclusion & Call to Action
Now that you understand the difference between "Venir de" and "Être en train de," you can use them correctly in conversation. Remember:
Use "Venir de" for recent past actions.
Use "Être en train de" for actions happening right now.
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