The French present participle as a converb

The present article proposes an analysis of the French present participle ( the -ant form) as a converb, i.e. as a non-finite verb form which forms a s econdary predication with a primary verb and the subject of this verb. Cont rary to the gerondif (the en -ant form), which always denotes a situation w hich is contemporary with but distinct from the situation denoted by the pr imary verb, the present participle as a converb denotes either the same sit uation as the primary verb or a salient aspect of it. In the verbal couple, verb + converb, the converb most often carries the most important informat ion, cf. the prototypical example: Elle s'est levee mettant fin a l'entreti en.