Mamie Gâteau Challenge (passé composé vs imparfait)

Shrey R.A1 Kwiziq Q&A super contributor

Mamie Gâteau Challenge (passé composé vs imparfait)

Bonjour Madame Cécile,

In the exercise on passé composé vs imparfait, I am stuck on the last line . 

It reads - “Elle a souri et elle a dit qu’elle nous pardonnait . Nous n’avons jamais oublié cette leçon.” 

Here , why does ‘pardonner’ take imparfait and not passé composé ?

Also why does ‘oublier’ take passé composé and not imparfait ?

Please give the grammatical reasons for the same.

Merci d’avance.

Asked 5 years ago
AurélieNative French expert teacher in KwiziqCorrect answer

Bonjour Varsha !

The first case is a case of reported speech in the past, where you need to use L'Imparfait in the second half:

"Elle a dit qu'elle nous pardonnait."

The second case is a past, defined statement/action that "after that", they never forgot, hence Le Passé Composé.Here "nous n'oubliions jamais" would imply more of a habit, or a personality trait = "we never used to forget".

I hope that's helpful!Bonne journée !

Shrey R.A1 Kwiziq Q&A super contributor

Merci Madame Aurélie. That was really lucid. Your tips and lessons are really fantastic ! 

Shrey R.A1 Kwiziq Q&A super contributor

Bonjour Madame, 

If I have to write , “Mother forgave us.”

So , the French would be “Mère nous a pardonnés.” ? Or “Mère nous pardonnait.” ?

I think the first is correct. Please give further illumination.

Merci beaucoup.

CécileNative French expert teacher in Kwiziq

You are correct, Varsha!

Shrey R.A1 Kwiziq Q&A super contributor

Merci Beaucoup Madame Cécile 

I always get muddled up , but with kwiziq it has gradually improved.

Shrey R. asked:

Mamie Gâteau Challenge (passé composé vs imparfait)

Bonjour Madame Cécile,

In the exercise on passé composé vs imparfait, I am stuck on the last line . 

It reads - “Elle a souri et elle a dit qu’elle nous pardonnait . Nous n’avons jamais oublié cette leçon.” 

Here , why does ‘pardonner’ take imparfait and not passé composé ?

Also why does ‘oublier’ take passé composé and not imparfait ?

Please give the grammatical reasons for the same.

Merci d’avance.

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