French language Q&A Forum

In this text, why does she say 'J'ai vécu', but then say 'Je faisais partie' et 'J'organisais'.... 

I am wondering why the different tenses here, as surely 'living' was an on-going occurrence ?

Jennifer

Is it correct that simply the duration itself can express a duration in specific time frame, and 'pendant' is optional? For example: 

1) J'étais là pendant 45 minutes = J'tais là 45 minutes

2) Je me brosse les dents trois minutes à chaque fois = Je me brosse les dents pendant trois minutes à chaque fois

3) Nous sommes restés à Tokyo pendant 10 jours = Nous sommes restés à Tokyo 10 jours

4) Combien de temps vous avez resté =  Pendant combien de temps vous avez resté?

Thank you. 

nous allons tous fêter ça 

Should “J’entendais un monstre” translate to “I heard a monster“ as opposed to “I would hear a monster”?

I used John Darbelnet's Pensée et Structure when studying French at Purdue University in the late 60s and early 70s. He did not offer a "faire" construction at all. There were four choices:

Ce bâtiment a une longueur de trente mètres.

Ce bâtiment a trente mètres de longueur.

Ce bâtiment a trente mètres de long.

Ce bâtiment est long de trente mètres.'

It's things like this that make me question the quality of this site. John Darbelnet was a distinguished pedagogue but of a different era. I would be interested in further input. La grande robert has been of no help.

Max Kime, Indianapolis