décrivant

Décrivant is the present participle of the French verb décrire, meaning to describe. In English terms, it corresponds to the word describing. It is used to convey an ongoing or simultaneous action and can also function as a descriptive modifier within noun phrases.

Etymology and formation: Décrire belongs to the group of verbs formed from Latin describere. The present participle is created by removing the -re from the infinitive and adding -vant, yielding décrivant. The form is pronounced with an initial de- sound, a French rhotic, and a nasal final.

Grammatical use: Décrivant appears in two main patterns. As a verb form, it often supports a gerund-like meaning when paired with the preposition en, as in en décrivant les lieux, meaning “while describing the places.” In this use, it marks simultaneity of action. It also appears as a participial adjective in noun phrases, typically preceding or following a noun to describe it, for example, un récit décrivant les événements (a narrative describing the events). In this role, décrivant remains the same form, while its function is to provide descriptive information about the noun.

Pronunciation and related forms: The pronunciation is roughly de-kʁi-vã, with the final nasal vowel typical of French -ant endings. Related forms include the past participle décrit and other present participles from -crire verbs, such as écrivant (from écrire). As a non-finite form, décrivant is a tool for adding descriptive nuance across French prose and dialogue.

In summary, décrivant is the standard present participle of décrire, used to express ongoing description or to modify nouns in a descriptive sense, and it plays a central role in descriptive and narrative French.