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Imparfait vs. Passé composé
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Wyn Ron C.Kwiziq 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?
Asked 7 years ago
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 with the imperfect tense in French (L'Imparfait)">Expressing continuing action with the imperfect tense in French (L'Imparfait)">Expressing continuing action with the imperfect tense in French (L'Imparfait)">Expressing continuing action with the imperfect tense in French (L'Imparfait)
Expressing past habits or repeated actions with the imperfect tense in French (L'Imparfait)">Expressing past habits or repeated actions with the imperfect tense in French (L'Imparfait)">Expressing past habits or repeated actions with the imperfect tense in French (L'Imparfait)">Expressing past habits or repeated actions with the imperfect tense in French (L'Imparfait)
Expressing opinions and describing with the imperfect tense in French (L'Imparfait)">Expressing opinions and describing with the imperfect tense in French (L'Imparfait)">Expressing opinions and describing with the imperfect tense in French (L'Imparfait)">Expressing opinions and describing with the imperfect tense in French (L'Imparfait)
https://progress.lawlessfrench.com/revision/grammar/l-imparfait-usage-in-hypothetical-clauses-introduced-by-si-if-followed-by-le-conditionnel-present
and
Using the compound tense (Le Passé Composé) on its own or with the imperfect tense (L'Imparfait)">Using the compound tense (Le Passé Composé) on its own or with the imperfect tense (L'Imparfait)">Using the compound tense (Le Passé Composé) on its own or with the imperfect tense (L'Imparfait)">Using the compound tense (Le Passé Composé) on its own or with the imperfect tense (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 with the imperfect tense in French (L'Imparfait)">Expressing continuing action with the imperfect tense in French (L'Imparfait)">Expressing continuing action with the imperfect tense in French (L'Imparfait)">Expressing continuing action with the imperfect tense in French (L'Imparfait)
Expressing past habits or repeated actions with the imperfect tense in French (L'Imparfait)">Expressing past habits or repeated actions with the imperfect tense in French (L'Imparfait)">Expressing past habits or repeated actions with the imperfect tense in French (L'Imparfait)">Expressing past habits or repeated actions with the imperfect tense in French (L'Imparfait)
Expressing opinions and describing with the imperfect tense in French (L'Imparfait)">Expressing opinions and describing with the imperfect tense in French (L'Imparfait)">Expressing opinions and describing with the imperfect tense in French (L'Imparfait)">Expressing opinions and describing with the imperfect tense in French (L'Imparfait)
https://progress.lawlessfrench.com/revision/grammar/l-imparfait-usage-in-hypothetical-clauses-introduced-by-si-if-followed-by-le-conditionnel-present
and
Using the compound tense (Le Passé Composé) on its own or with the imperfect tense (L'Imparfait)">Using the compound tense (Le Passé Composé) on its own or with the imperfect tense (L'Imparfait)">Using the compound tense (Le Passé Composé) on its own or with the imperfect tense (L'Imparfait)">Using the compound tense (Le Passé Composé) on its own or with the imperfect tense (L'Imparfait)
I hope that's helpful!
À bientôt !
Wyn Ron C.Kwiziq 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 Head of French, Native French Teacher
Bonjour Wyn Ron !
In that case, it's a description, so you will use L'Imparfait :)
Bonne journée !
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