Conjugation

Detain

détenir

Regular verb.

In speech, the helping verbs shorten: I’m, he’s, we’re, I’ve, I’ll, I’d.

Newbie

Enough to talk about now, the past, and your plans, and to give instructions.

  1. Present simple

    Habits, facts, and how things usually are. To say no or ask, add do or does: I don't detain, he doesn't detain.

    1. I / you / we / they detain
    2. he / she / it detains

  2. Present continuous

    What is happening now, and plans already arranged: we’re leaving tomorrow.

    1. I am detaining
    2. you / we / they are detaining
    3. he / she / it is detaining

  3. Past simple

    A finished action at a past time: yesterday, in 2020. To say no or ask, add did: I didn't detain.

    1. I / you / he / she / it / we / they detained

  4. Future with going to

    Plans and intentions, and what you can see coming: it’s going to rain.

    1. I am going to detain
    2. you / we / they are going to detain
    3. he / she / it is going to detain

  5. Imperative

    Orders, advice, and instructions. Let’s suggests doing it together. To say no: don't detain.

    1. (you) detain
    2. let's detain