Imparfait vs. Passé composé
- « Back to Q&A Forum
- « Previous questionNext question »
Wyn RonKwiziq community member
Imparfait vs. Passé composé
I have having problems figuring out when I need to use imparfait in my conversations. For example, I understand that imparfait is used when expressing a thought that took place in the past. So does that mean every thought that I had in the past is put into imparfait?
Bonjour Wyn Ron !
Aaah the eternal question ;)
Knowing when to use L'Imparfait versus Le Passé Composé can indeed be complicated for learners, so here are some guidelines:
-> Imparfait is used to express:
- a habit in the past = used to
- a continuous action in the past = was doing
- to describe a past state or situation = it was
- after "si" in hypothetical statements = if I had
-> Passé Composé is used to express:
- a past action with a clear beginning and end in the past = did
- a brief action in the past
Here are links to our related lessons for more examples :
Expressing continuing action in L'Imparfait (imperfect tense)">Expressing continuing action in L'Imparfait (imperfect tense)">Expressing continuing action in L'Imparfait (imperfect tense)">Expressing continuing action in L'Imparfait (imperfect tense)
Expressing habits or repeated actions in L'Imparfait (imperfect tense)">Expressing habits or repeated actions in L'Imparfait (imperfect tense)">Expressing habits or repeated actions in L'Imparfait (imperfect tense)">Expressing habits or repeated actions in L'Imparfait (imperfect tense)
Describing and expressing opinions in L'Imparfait (imperfect tense)">Describing and expressing opinions in L'Imparfait (imperfect tense)">Describing and expressing opinions in L'Imparfait (imperfect tense)">Describing and expressing opinions in L'Imparfait (imperfect tense)
Using L'Imparfait in hypothetical clauses introduced by si (if) + Le Conditionnel Présent
and
Using Le Passé Composé on its own or with L'Imparfait">Using Le Passé Composé on its own or with L'Imparfait">Using Le Passé Composé on its own or with L'Imparfait">Using Le Passé Composé on its own or with L'Imparfait
I hope that's helpful!
À bientôt !
Aaah the eternal question ;)
Knowing when to use L'Imparfait versus Le Passé Composé can indeed be complicated for learners, so here are some guidelines:
-> Imparfait is used to express:
- a habit in the past = used to
- a continuous action in the past = was doing
- to describe a past state or situation = it was
- after "si" in hypothetical statements = if I had
-> Passé Composé is used to express:
- a past action with a clear beginning and end in the past = did
- a brief action in the past
Here are links to our related lessons for more examples :
Expressing continuing action in L'Imparfait (imperfect tense)">Expressing continuing action in L'Imparfait (imperfect tense)">Expressing continuing action in L'Imparfait (imperfect tense)">Expressing continuing action in L'Imparfait (imperfect tense)
Expressing habits or repeated actions in L'Imparfait (imperfect tense)">Expressing habits or repeated actions in L'Imparfait (imperfect tense)">Expressing habits or repeated actions in L'Imparfait (imperfect tense)">Expressing habits or repeated actions in L'Imparfait (imperfect tense)
Describing and expressing opinions in L'Imparfait (imperfect tense)">Describing and expressing opinions in L'Imparfait (imperfect tense)">Describing and expressing opinions in L'Imparfait (imperfect tense)">Describing and expressing opinions in L'Imparfait (imperfect tense)
Using L'Imparfait in hypothetical clauses introduced by si (if) + Le Conditionnel Présent
and
Using Le Passé Composé on its own or with L'Imparfait">Using Le Passé Composé on its own or with L'Imparfait">Using Le Passé Composé on its own or with L'Imparfait">Using Le Passé Composé on its own or with L'Imparfait
I hope that's helpful!
À bientôt !
Wyn RonKwiziq community member
Bonjour Aurelie, merci de votre aide.
For example, I want to say the airplane was on time, when I am in conversation with a friend whom asked me "how was your vacation?". Do I say?
Le vol était à l'heure (this described the situation)
or
Le vol a été à l'heure (this action had a beginning and an end in the past)
Wyn
AurélieKwiziq team member
Bonjour Wyn Ron !
In that case, it's a description, so you will use L'Imparfait :)
Bonne journée !
Wyn Ron asked:View original
Imparfait vs. Passé composé
I have having problems figuring out when I need to use imparfait in my conversations. For example, I understand that imparfait is used when expressing a thought that took place in the past. So does that mean every thought that I had in the past is put into imparfait?
Don't have an account yet? Join today
Ask a question
Find your French level for FREE
Test your French to the CEFR standard
Find your French level >>