Conjugation

Drive back

retourner en voiture

Irregular verb, phrasal verb.

  • Phrasal verb: back

    Only drive changes; back stays the same: drove back, driven back.

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 drive back, he doesn't drive back.

    1. I / you / we / they drive back
    2. he / she / it drives back

  2. Present continuous

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

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

  3. Past simple

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

    1. I / you / he / she / it / we / they drove back

  4. Future with going to

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

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

  5. Imperative

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

    1. (you) drive back
    2. let's drive back