fournIR

Fournir is a French verb meaning to provide, supply or furnish something to someone. It is a transitive verb that typically requires a direct object and a recipient (fournir qqch à qn). The reflexive form se fournir means to obtain or procure for oneself, often with en to indicate a source or supply (se fournir en nourriture, en pièces).

Usage and distinctions: Fournir is used for giving or supplying goods, services, or information. Common constructions include fournir qqch à qn (to provide something to someone), fournir des services (to provide services), and fournir des documents (to provide documents). The phrase se fournir en X refers to obtaining or sourcing X, such as se fournir en carburant or se fournir en matériel.

Conjugation: Fournir is a regular -ir verb with the typical conjugation. Present: je fournis, tu fournis, il fournit, nous fournissons, vous fournissez, ils fournissent. Passé composé: j’ai fourni; imparfait: je fournissais; futur: je fournirai; conditionnel: je fournirais. Subjonctif présent: que je fournisse, que tu fournisses, qu’il fournisse, que nous fournissions, que vous fournissiez, qu’ils fournissent. Imperatif: fournis, fournissons, fournissez. Participle: présent fournissant; passé composé fourni (fourni, with être or avoir as auxiliary depending on construction).

Etymology and related terms: The verb derives from Old French fornir (and related forms) and is linked to the noun fourniture (supply, provision) and to the broader idea of furnishing or provisioning. Related words include le fournisseur (supplier) and la fourniture (supply, equipment). A closely related verb is approvisionner, meaning to stock or supply in a broader sense.