Forming the imperfect for some irregular verbs

Question

In reference to the rule which is explained at the end of the lesson after the examples, isn't there something extra going on in the reflexive verbs which follow the pattern of eler/ eter like 'se rappeler'? For example, we have je me rappelle in the present, but je me rappelais in the imperfect, so we don't just add 'ais' to the stem of the conjugation in the present in this instance, right?

Cécile Janty-Davies · Accepted Answer

Bonjour Matthew, 
I think the irregularity you mention is in the present tense of the verbs ending in eler/ eter and as the imparfait takes its stem from the 'nous form' of the present of the verb, this is important, but then verbs like 'se rappeler' are regular in the imparfait.
présent ----> nous nous rappelons ( minus ons) rappel + imparfait endings
Je me rappelais, tu te rappelais, il/elle/on se rappelait, nous nous rappelions,  vous vous rappeliez, ils/elles se rappelaient
Here is the lesson about the present tense of such verbs -
Conjugate -eter and -eler verbs in the present tense in French (Le Présent) - main rule (ll / tt)
 
 
Hope this helps!