"qu'on pouvait passer ses vacances ainsi" Why l'imparfait and not le conditionnel?

Laura G.C1Kwiziq community member

"qu'on pouvait passer ses vacances ainsi" Why l'imparfait and not le conditionnel?

This question relates to:French writing exercise "Staycation: a positive experience"

Freeform Writing Exercise C1

Asked 1 year ago

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CécileKwiziq Native French TeacherCorrect answer

Hi Laura,

Please take a look at the answers to a similar question explaining how in English 'could' can in French be an imparfait or a conditionnel.

https://progress.lawlessfrench.com/questions/view/if-she-could-fly-she-would-go-to-the-moon

Hope it helps!

Like01 year ago

Chris W.C1 Kwiziq Q&A super contributor

In this sentence, the imperfect is used because it is a general statement about the past and not about a specific event. The general nature of the statement is also underlined by the use of on.

Like01 year ago

Laura G. asked:

"qu'on pouvait passer ses vacances ainsi" Why l'imparfait and not le conditionnel?

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