Learn Hardcore French: Paul met le plateau sur la table.

The verb mettre means “to put” or “to place.” In this sentence, met is the third person singular present tense form, indicating that Paul is putting the tray on the table (either as a current action or a habitual one).

Why does the sentence use the present tense met instead of the compound past form a mis?

French can use the simple present to describe current or habitual actions. If the sentence were referring to a completed past action, the compound past (a mis) would be more common. Here, the use of met suggests either a general statement or a narrative style that favors the present.

Why are the definite articles le and la used before plateau and table?

French nouns are linked with definite articles that help specify the object and its gender. Le plateau means “the tray” (masculine) and la table means “the table” (feminine). These articles signal that both items are specific and familiar in the context.

Could met be mistaken for the English past of “meet,” and why is that not the case here?

Yes, an English speaker might initially confuse met with the past tense of “meet.” However, in French, met is the present tense form of mettre (meaning “to put”), so despite the similar appearance, it has a completely different meaning from the English “met.”