Plus que parfait at L'imparfait

MERCY O.A1Kwiziq community member

Plus que parfait at L'imparfait

I can't seem to differentiate these two. Please make me understand.

Asked 1 week ago
Jim J.C1 Kwiziq Q&A super contributor Correct answer

Bonjour Mercy,

L'imparfait relates to the background information of a situation (to set the scene) or situations described as "was/were" or past habitual actions.

The Plus-que-Parfait relates to a completed action, which happened before the current past timeframe.

Have a look at these links, they may aid your understanding

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3rpQ5xeFneg

https://progress.lawlessfrench.com/questions/view/why-not-passe-compose-or-plus-que-parfait

Bonne continuation

Jim

 

CélineKwiziq Native French TeacherCorrect answer

Bonjour Mercy,

I've added examples below to illustrate Jim's great answer:

Imparfait:

Quand j'étais enfant, j'allais souvent au parc When I was a child, I often went to the park

-> describing habitual actions in the past

Marc était un homme généreux = Marc was a generous man

-> describing a past state

Il pleuvait quand je suis sorti = It was raining when I went out

-> describing ongoing actions in the past

 

- Plus-que-Parfait:

Quand je suis arrivé, elle était déjà partie = When I arrived, she had already left
J'avais mangé avant d'aller au cinéma I had eaten before going to the cinema 

-> completed actions that occurred before another past event

 

I hope this is helpful.

Bonne journée !

MERCY O. asked:

Plus que parfait at L'imparfait

I can't seem to differentiate these two. Please make me understand.

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