Envisager

Envisager is a French verb meaning to envisage, to contemplate, or to consider something as a possibility. It is commonly used to describe the act of forming a mental image of future events, plans, or scenarios, often in formal or strategic contexts. The term can convey both imagining and planning, as in envisaging several options or a long-term project.

In usage, envisager typically governs a direct object that specifies what is being contemplated, such as envisager un projet (to envisage a project) or envisager plusieurs scenarios (to envisage several scenarios). It is frequently found in government, business, and academic writing when discussing forecasts, goals, or potential outcomes. Example: Nous envisageons de lancer le produit l'année prochaine. Nous envisageons plusieurs scénarios pour l'avenir.

Etymology: envisager is a native French verb formed with the prefix en- plus a root related to viewing or aiming, with the sense of directing one’s attention toward something to be considered or planned. The noun envisagement exists in French to denote the act or result of envisaging. The word has been in use in French since the early modern period and has influenced English discourse through direct borrowing.

Conjugation: Present tense forms are j'envisage, tu envisages, il envisage, nous envisageons, vous envisagez, ils envisagent. The verb also appears in the imperfect j'envisageais, il envisageait; passé composé j'ai envisagé; future j'envisagerai; present subjunctive que j'envisage, que tu envisages, qu'il envisage, que nous envisagions, que vous envisagiez, qu'ils envisagent. The participle is envisagé, and the gerund is envisageant.

In English, the corresponding verb is often written envisage, used in formal contexts to mean to form a mental image of or to plan for the future. The noun envisagement is related, referring to the act or result of envisaging.

---