Imparfait v Passé Composé

Jim L.C1Kwiziq Q&A regular contributor

I'm confused as to why "we improved quickly" is in the passé composé rather than the imparfait. Surely the fact that they were quickly improving is an ongoing action in the past rather than something that happened "just like that" at one particular moment? (Having said that, reading the whole passage through again it clearly "feels" like it should be in the passé composé - I'm just not sure why....)

This question relates to:French writing exercise "A new mother"

Freeform Writing Exercise A2

Asked 3 years ago

Like1Answer2

Jim J.C1 Kwiziq Q&A super contributor Correct answer

Hi Jim,

It occurs to me that once improved, that action is complete.

Hope this helps.

Jim

Like13 years ago

Chris W.C1 Kwiziq Q&A super contributor

Using imperfect tense, this would sound to French ears as: "we were improving quickly" or "we used to improve quickly". Not the intended meaning.

Like13 years ago

Jim L. asked:

Imparfait v Passé Composé

I'm confused as to why "we improved quickly" is in the passé composé rather than the imparfait. Surely the fact that they were quickly improving is an ongoing action in the past rather than something that happened "just like that" at one particular moment? (Having said that, reading the whole passage through again it clearly "feels" like it should be in the passé composé - I'm just not sure why....)

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