Pourquoi imparfait plus-que-parfait?

Pourquoi imparfait plus-que-parfait?

En latin, il existe un temps passé, le parfait, qui se traduit aussi bien par :  »je chantais » que par  »j’ai chanté ». La durée, comme le début et la fin sont imprécis : du coup le temps n’est pas  »fait complètement » donc, imparfait. …

When to use the imparfait?

The imparfait is also used to state habitual actions in the past. These past habits are often translated as ‘used to, or ‘would.’ Distinguish between the use of ‘would’ for habitual past actions (imparfait) and the use of ‘would’ for the conditional.

How and when should you use the French imparfait?

L’imparfait (the imperfect) is a French past tense. It describes states and actions that were ongoing or repeated in the past. The imperfect can correspond to the English simple past tense, but also to structures such as used to and would and even the past progressive. L’imparfait is used to tell stories and report on past actions , mostly in written contexts.

When to use imparfait vs Passe Compose?

Imparfait vs passé composé. In a nutshell,the imparfait is used for incomplete actions while the passé composé is reserved for completed ones,but of course it’s more complicated than

Incomplete vs Complete. Imparfait explains what was happening,with no indication of when or even if it ended. J’étais à l’école.

Uncounted vs Counted. Imparfait details what used to happen on a regular basis,or happened an indefinite number of times.

Ongoing vs New. Imparfait indicates an ongoing state of being or feeling. J’aimais l’école. I liked school. J’étais toujours inspiré par mes profs.

Background+Event. Imparfait describes what was happening or how something was when…J’étais à l’école quand…I was at school when…

Imparfait and passé composé in action. To give you an idea of how these tenses work,together and separately,here are three similar stories using each past tense individually and

Imparfait and passé composé clues. Some French words and phrases are virtually always used with the imparfait,while others seem to stick like glue to the passé composé.

More imparfait vs passé composé

Passé composé vs imparfait quizzes. Think you’ve got it? Note: You must be logged into your Progress with Lawless French account to take these tests.

Related lessons

French lesson plan

En español

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What is the French ‘imparfait’?

The french imparfait endings. The imparfait is used to describe repeated or habitual action in the past and descriptive states of being. It is formed by combining the imparfait stem and imparfait endings.