Désignons

Désignons is the first-person plural present indicative form of the French verb désigner, and it can also function as the inclusive imperative meaning “let us designate.” In use, it designates the act of pointing out, naming, or appointing someone or something.

Etymology and meaning: Désigner comes from Old French designer, which itself traces back to Latin designare, meaning to mark out or designate. The contemporary meaning includes to designate, appoint, name, or indicate a person or thing in a specific context.

Usage: The form désignons appears in formal or procedural language, such as meeting minutes, statutes, recommendations, or policy statements, where a collective action is proposed—for example, Désignons les témoins ou désignons un porte-parole. It is also encountered in everyday speech when speakers propose a collective action, though the imperative sense is less common outside formal contexts.

Grammar and related forms: Désignons is part of a regular -er verb conjugation. Present tense forms are: je désigne, tu désignes, il/elle désigne, nous désignons, vous désignez, ils/elles désignent. The past participle is désigné. Related nouns include désignation (the act of designating or naming) and the verb désigner itself, meaning to designate or to indicate.

See also: Désigner, Désignation. In usage, désignons is a practical example of how French often uses the inclusive form to propose collective action or to introduce the designation of a person or role in formal contexts.