L'imparfait vs le passé composéFor this particular question,
Quand j'étais petit, ________ avec mes legos.When I was small, I played with my Lego.
Can I check why L'imparfait should be used? I understand that l'imparfait is used for repeated actions or habit in the past. However, the English translation doesn't seem to reflect that.
Within the context itself, I can argue that
1 - When I was young, I used to play with my Lego (as a habit) - Quand j'étais petit, je jouais avec mes legos.
2 - When I was young, I played with my Lego (one off event, which ended in the past) - Quand j'étais petit, j'ai joué avec mes legos.
Hence, I think both answers should be accepted, unless the English translation is changed in such a way that makes the action of "playing" repetitive.
Thanks lots
A French friend recently corrected me when I told him:
"Je m'assieds dans ma voiture à présent."
He said I should say:
"Je suis assis dans ma voiture à présent."
Is one better to than the other?
Bonjour!
How best to translate this sentence please? : "Were you there before?" - Etais-tu là avant? (or) As-tu été là avant?
and the same sentence in the negative: "Weren't you there before?" - N'étais-tu pas là avant? (or) N'as-tu pas été là avant?
Thanks.
Cheryl
Quand j'étais petit, ________ avec mes legos.When I was small, I played with my Lego.
Can I check why L'imparfait should be used? I understand that l'imparfait is used for repeated actions or habit in the past. However, the English translation doesn't seem to reflect that.
Within the context itself, I can argue that
1 - When I was young, I used to play with my Lego (as a habit) - Quand j'étais petit, je jouais avec mes legos.
2 - When I was young, I played with my Lego (one off event, which ended in the past) - Quand j'étais petit, j'ai joué avec mes legos.
Hence, I think both answers should be accepted, unless the English translation is changed in such a way that makes the action of "playing" repetitive.Thanks lots
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