Imperfect vs. perfect tense

Barbara O.C1Kwiziq Q&A regular contributor

Hi - Could someone explain why the phrase 'mais elle a toujours aimé cet instrument' is in the perfect tense and not the imperfect? Doesn't the sentence imply that her 'liking' the instrument has no definite time frame and there is no indication of when or if she ever stopped 'liking' the accordion? I also have the same question as Drew and Maren regarding 'mais elle l'a réussi' as an alternative answer to 'mais elle l'a eu'. Thanks!

This question relates to:French writing exercise "My cousin and her accordion"

Freeform Writing Exercise A2

Asked 4 years ago

Like1Answer2

David R.A2Kwiziq Q&A regular contributor

Perfect = she has always liked this instrument

Imperfect = she always used to like this instrument

You would use whichever means what you want to say I guess.

This discussion goes in to more detail about it - https://french.stackexchange.com/questions/27614/used-to-in-french/27615#27615

Like14 years ago

Barbara O.C1Kwiziq Q&A regular contributor

Thanks!

Like04 years ago

Barbara O. asked:View original

imperfect vs. perfect tense

Hi - Could someone explain why the phrase 'mais elle a toujours aimé cet instrument' is in the perfect tense and not the imperfect? Doesn't the sentence imply that her 'liking' the instrument has no definite time frame and there is no indication of when or if she ever stopped 'liking' the accordion? I also have the same question as Drew and Maren regarding 'mais elle l'a réussi' as an alternative answer to 'mais elle l'a eu'. Thanks!

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