Conjugation

Mess around

faire l'imbécile

Regular verb, phrasal verb.

  • Phrasal verb: around

    Only mess changes; around stays the same: messed around, messed around.

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 mess around, he doesn't mess around.

    1. I / you / we / they mess around
    2. he / she / it messes around

  2. Present continuous

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

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

  3. Past simple

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

    1. I / you / he / she / it / we / they messed around

  4. Future with going to

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

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

  5. Imperative

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

    1. (you) mess around
    2. let's mess around