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The reason given for the imparfait in "mes mains n'arrêtait pas de trembler" is continuing action, but the lesson teaches that continuing action

Ann H.C1Kwiziq Q&A regular contributor

The reason given for the imparfait in "mes mains n'arrêtait pas de trembler" is continuing action, but the lesson teaches that continuing action

would translate as: mes mains were not stopping trembling. I get very confused over this particular usage. Most of the use of imparfait that I get wrong are due to this rule. Could you explain it better?

This question relates to:French dictation exercise "Entretien avec une chanteuse"

Dictation exercise A2

Asked 5 years ago
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CécileNative French expert teacher in KwiziqCorrect answer

Hi Ann,

In this example, which I would translate 'my hands could not stop shaking', the verb 'ne pas arrêter de' conveys duration so the imparfait est parfait ici...

Bonne continuation!

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Ann H. asked:

The reason given for the imparfait in "mes mains n'arrêtait pas de trembler" is continuing action, but the lesson teaches that continuing action

would translate as: mes mains were not stopping trembling. I get very confused over this particular usage. Most of the use of imparfait that I get wrong are due to this rule. Could you explain it better?

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