Une personne parlant français.
A person speaking French.
Tense guide
Present participle
A verbal form in -ant that describes an action as ongoing or characteristic.
When to use it
It appears in more formal writing, as an adjective-like form, and inside the gerund with en.
How to recognise it
Look for a verb ending in -ant: parlant, finissant, prenant. With en before it, it becomes a gerund.
How to form it
Usually take the nous present stem, remove -ons, and add -ant: nous parlons -> parlant.
A simple rule
Do not translate every English -ing with a present participle. French often uses a normal conjugated verb instead.
Examples
Des enfants courant vite.
Children running fast.