Je n'ai pas eu le temps avant mon voyage

Danielle A.C1Kwiziq Q&A regular contributor

Can you explain why passé composé is used to translate 'I didn't have the time before my trip'? I always make this mistake because I think that the speaker means they didn't have the time for an extended period of time and I often think that imparfait should be used in those cases.

This question relates to:French writing exercise "At the bureau de change"

Freeform Writing Exercise A2

Asked 1 year ago

Like0Answer1

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

Bonjour Danielle,

There is a defined end to the action, that is up to the point the trip commences.

Prior to that "not having the time" is a completed action and subsequently (when the trip starts) then is over and done with.

This is how I justify passé composé.

Hope this helps

Bonne journée

Jim

Like11 year ago

Danielle A. asked:

Je n'ai pas eu le temps avant mon voyage

Can you explain why passé composé is used to translate 'I didn't have the time before my trip'? I always make this mistake because I think that the speaker means they didn't have the time for an extended period of time and I often think that imparfait should be used in those cases.

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