Conjugate regular verbs in the imperfect tense in French (L'Imparfait)

L'Imparfait (Indicatif) is very easy to conjugate in French, as MOST verbs follow the same pattern of conjugation (EXCEPT for être - Conjugate être in the imperfect tense in French (L'Imparfait)).

Learn how to conjugate (most) verbs in L'Imparfait (Indicatif) in French

Look at these examples:

Je faisais un château de sable.I was making a sandcastle.

Tu chantais à l'école ?Were you singing at school?

Elle avait un chien.She had a dog.

Nous parlions français ensemble.We used to speak French together.

Vous choisissiez votre maison.You were choosing your house.

Ils prenaient le train tous les matins.They took the train every morning.

How to form the L'Imparfait (Indicatif)

1. Take the nous form of the verb in Le Présent (Indicatif)

2. Drop the -ons ending

3. Add the following endings:

je / j' -ais
tu -ais
il/elle/on -ait
nous -ions
vous -iez
ils/elles -aient 

Examples: 

- parler : nous parlons (we are talking) -> je parlais

- finir : nous finissons (we are finishing) -> je finissais

- faire : nous faisons (we are doing) -> je faisais

- prendre : nous prenons (we are taking) -> je prenais

When to use the French Imperfect Tense (L'Imparfait)

L'Imparfait (Indicatif) is used in a variety of ways where we use very different tenses in English!

 

Expressing continuing action with the imperfect tense in French (L'Imparfait)

Expressing past habits or repeated actions with the imperfect tense in French (L'Imparfait)

Expressing opinions and describing with the imperfect tense in French (L'Imparfait)

Want to make sure your French sounds confident? We’ll map your knowledge and give you free lessons to focus on your gaps and mistakes. Start your Brainmap today »

Learn more about these related French grammar topics

Examples and resources

Ils prenaient le train tous les matins.They took the train every morning.

avoir


Elle avait un chien.She had a dog.

chanter


Tu chantais à l'école ?Were you singing at school?

choisir


Vous choisissiez votre maison.You were choosing your house.

faire


Je faisais un château de sable.I was making a sandcastle.
Nous faisions du sport.We used to do sport.

finir


Il finissait son repas.He was finishing his meal.

parler


Nous parlions français ensemble.We used to speak French together.
Let me take a look at that...